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Crunch time in Investec Champions Cup for English contenders as Bath prepare for the game of the weekend Leicester hunt home tie

The Investec Champions Cup reaches the conclusion of its pool stage this weekend, with England’s top teams fighting the best in Europe for knock-out qualification.

Northampton and Leicester have already secured their passage to the latter rounds, while Saracens only need a point to join them.

Here, Mail Sport look at five things to look out for in European rugby’s top competition as the action hots up in the coming days…

Leicester’s England forwards return

It’s a good job the Tigers have qualified with a game to spare as they travel to defending European champions and French Galacticos Toulouse in their final match.

A shock win in France – which would be some result – would secure Michael Cheika’s men a home tie in the last-16 – something all teams desire.

Michael Cheika’s Leicester side have already qualified for the last-16 going into the final games

Test forwards Ollie Chessum (pictured) and George Martin are likely to be available to play

Test forwards Ollie Chessum (pictured) and George Martin are likely to be available to play

Leicester’s trip to the Stade Ernest Wallon will be significant not only for Tigers fans, but also England supporters ahead of the Six Nations.

Test forwards Ollie Chessum and George Martin are likely to return from injury for Leicester against Toulouse ahead of the start of the Championship. Both men – who are England regulars when fit – will be looking to prove their match sharpness to national head coach Steve Borthwick. 

Chessum missed England’s disappointing autumn due to a knee injury.

Dublin humdinger

It’s the top team in the Gallagher Premiership against the best side in the United Rugby Championship and four-time European Champions on Saturday night.

Bath’s visit to the Aviva Stadium to take on Irish giants Leinster is undoubtedly the game of the weekend given the form of the two sides this season.

The presence of the likes of Finn Russell and Jordie Barrett, among many other internationals, tells you everything about the quality that will be on show.

Leinster rarely lose in Dublin – or anywhere for that matter – and are playing some fine rugby, but a Bath win of any sort would send them through.

The meeting of two former South African coaches in Johann van Graan and Jacques Nienaber is also something which adds an extra dimension to the encounter.

Bath versus Leinster will be the game of the weekend, with the likes of Finn Russell on show

Bath versus Leinster will be the game of the weekend, with the likes of Finn Russell on show

Leinster rarely lose in Dublin - or anywhere for that matter - and are playing some fine rugby

Leinster rarely lose in Dublin – or anywhere for that matter – and are playing some fine rugby

Win or bust for Bristol

Saracens, who host Castres on Sunday, are strong favourites to progress. In Pool 4, Harlequins should also be hopeful of doing so. 

Sale have their backs to the wall. Bristol are bottom of Pool 2, but their game away to Clermont looks potentially fascinating. Pat Lam’s Bears know a win would probably take them through if Leinster beat Bath.

Lam is set to name a very strong side with a plan to play the fluid, attacking rugby that has seen them impress in the Premiership this term to date.

Clermont are a huge, but forward-dominated team and if Bristol play to their potential, they could spring a shock.

In-form Saracens

The English side have two of the Premiership’s form players in fly-half Fergus Burke and rampaging back-row Tom Willis.

English-qualified Burke was this week named in Scotland’s Six Nations squad where he will rival Russell. Willis deservedly earned an England call too.

Both players will want to continue with their recent impressive displays.

Saracens have two in-from players on their books, including fly-half Fergus Burke, who has chosen to play for Scotland

Saracens have two in-from players on their books, including fly-half Fergus Burke, who has chosen to play for Scotland

There is a real chance that no South African teams - in Europe - qualify for the round of 16

There is a real chance that no South African teams – in Europe – qualify for the round of 16

Will South African sides qualify?

The presence of South African teams in European competition has been controversial.

But despite their country winning the last two World Cups, there is a chance no side from the Rainbow Nation might reach the round of 16.

Siya Kolisi and the Sharks need a point from their final game to do so, but that is not a given as they are away to Bordeaux who are on fire. 

The Bulls are out of the running in Pool 3 while the Stormers are likely to need maximum points in Paris against Racing 92.

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