Take on the Tipster

Andy Powell: Saturday struggle?

What a difference seven days can make. The glumness etched all over British & Irish Lions followers was clear to see following their opening fixture before frowns were turned upside down in Johannesburg.

Wednesday's 74-10 win to Rustenburg's 37-25 best sums up the margin of improvement!

But as the series builds along, so does the opponent's strength and this weekend we head to Bloemfontein where the Cheetahs lie in wait.

Once again Ian McGeechan has shuffled his deck, sticking to his word of giving everyone a fair crack of the whip before the Tests come knocking.

Naka Drotske's outfit will be no mugs though, and if Graham Rowntree's passionate press conference rant is anything to go by, the Lions will be far from complacent when they step out onto Vodacom Park with Paul O'Connell leading once more.

Elsewhere in the rugby world, and there's a huge fixture in Paris as Clermont look to make it tenth time lucky in a Top 14 Final against Perpignan. However, the Catalans are certainly enjoying their recent form as Stade Français can testify after last week's semi-final defeat.

Other fixtures include USA and Wales, Australia against the Barbarians in Sydney while a Test match at Old Trafford between England and Argentina is yet another opportunity for the Pumas to upset the bigger nations, which they certainly did back in November 2006.

So let's see what the Tipster has for us this time around as we once again team up with Sky Bet to pick out the best punts on offer.

Banker of the week

Most bookmakers have struggled to separate Clermont and Perpignan at Stade de France's 80,000-fan showpiece and rightly so.

On one hand there's the mindset that it has to be the Les Jaunards' turn after coming so close on ten, yes ten, previous occasions. Meanwhile, the Catalans possess an unrivalled killer instinct despite missing their big-money signing for the majority of the season.

A coin flip?

Maybe not, as the Tipster believes those men in yellow can edge out their opponents and lift the trophy they've lusted after for so long.

Get on Clermont to sneak past Perpignan!

Worth a shot

A 64-point winning margin was an eye-rubbing moment for those unfortunate to only catch the B&I Lions result the morning after. There was clinical running rugby played at its best to accompany expansive passing and a desire that was not on show against the Royal XV.

Next up for the tourists is a meeting with Super 14's so-called giant killers, who luckily for the Lions do not have sweltering weather conditions on their side as winter draws in.

However, I cannot see such a similar cruise for O'Connell and company four days on - with selection lacking a little bit of oomph wide out - so Bloemfontein could play host to a much tighter result at 15:00 local time.

Take the Cheetahs (+14) to keep the B&I Lions caged!

Hail Mary

International fixtures in all four corners of the globe fill the weekend's schedule so there's plenty for spectators to mull over...here are the Tipster's picks.

Australia, British & Irish Lions, Clermont, England, Wales

Stake - £5.00 = £BIG Return!

Anything take your fancy?