Northampton vs Castres Predictions - Saints set for Champions Cup semi-final

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 11 Apr 2025

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Simon Lewis 11 Apr 2025

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Northampton dominated Castres earlier this season with a 38-8 win.
Saints bring strong form in the Champions Cup, wary after recent losses.
Castres struggles away but fields a full-strength team, challenging the 16.5 handicap.

Northampton beat Castres earlier this season. (Getty Images)

Northampton vs Castres Predictions

Northampton thrashed Castres earlier this season, but the French side was not at full-strength on that occasion. I still believe the Saints will have too much quality at home, but I fancy Castres to get within the 16.5 handicap.

Northampton vs Castres Predictions
Head to Head
Northampton Form
Northampton Injuries & Team News
Castres Form
Castres Injuries & Team News

Northampton beat Castres earlier this season.
Northampton have lost 3 of their last 4 matches.
Castres have won their last 2 matches.

Head to Head

These sides met earlier this season with Northampton Saints winning 38-8 on home soil.

Northampton Form

Northampton are the defending Rugby Premiership champions, but their season has not quite gone according to play. However, despite their poor local form, they have been quite outstanding in the Champions Cup.

Last weekend, the Saints beat Clermont 46-24 at home to advance to the quarters. They are once again favourites to win and reach the semis.

Prior to that win, Northampton lost 33-0 to Leicester Tigers and 27-24 to Sale Sharks in the Premiership.

Northampton Injuries & Team News

Expect a full-strength side from the Saints. They should, at their best, advance to the semis her but won’t want to take any chances.

Castres Form

Castres are a strange side and very inconsistent in performance. If this game were to be played in France, it would be a completely different story considering Castres’ incredible home record.

But as good as their home record is, their away win percentage is way down. Last week, on home soil, Castres needed a last-minute try and conversion to beat Benetton 39-37.

In the weeks before, Castres drew against Perpignan and La Rochelle away from home, beat Lyon at home by five points and lost away from home to Montpellier and Castres by four and two points respectively.

Castres Injuries & Team News

Castres have a very good team with everyone fit and available. I do foresee a few changes to their side from last week though.

Verdict

Northampton v Castres

I am backing Castres to get within 16.5 points.

Castres +16.5

Handicap

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