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Leinster v Sale, Ulster & Connacht Handicap Picks

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European knockout rugby takes centre stage again this weekend with Leinster, Ulster and Connacht all facing huge tests in the EPCR Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. Leinster welcome Sale Sharks in a heavyweight Champions Cup clash, while Ulster and Connacht are both in Challenge Cup action against French opposition. Below is a full look at the expected handicap lines and match predictions for all three fixtures.

Leinster v Sale Sharks prediction, handicap and preview

Competition: Investec Champions Cup
Date: Saturday
Time: 5:30pm

Leinster look capable of putting up another huge score this weekend. They were ruthless in the previous round and, on current form, they have the firepower to blow most teams away once they get on top physically. Sale Sharks deserve real credit for being the only away side to win in the Round of 16, but this is a much bigger challenge altogether.

The injuries to Luke Cowan-Dickie and Bevan Rodd are major setbacks. Against a Leinster side that can dominate at the set-piece, flood the breakdown and punish mistakes with ruthless efficiency, those losses could be badly exposed. Leinster’s depth, pace and power should tell over 80 minutes, especially if they build scoreboard pressure early.

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Sale will need a near-perfect display to stay in touch, but it is hard to see them living with Leinster for the full contest. The Irish province should control territory, possession and the physical battle.

  • Expected handicap: Leinster -20
  • Prediction: Leinster to win comfortably
  • Likely margin: 30 to 40 points would not be a surprise

Ulster v La Rochelle prediction, handicap and preview

Competition: EPCR Challenge Cup
Date: Friday
Time: 8:00pm

This looks one of the ties of the weekend. Ulster at home always makes life awkward for any visiting side, but La Rochelle bring serious pedigree and huge motivation into this one. With their season having lacked consistency, there is every reason to think Ronan O’Gara will send his team out with full focus. Winning this competition would go a long way towards rescuing their campaign.

Ulster will believe they have a real chance if they can bring energy, accuracy and emotion from the first whistle. Ravenhill under the lights can be a serious venue when the home side get momentum, and that makes this far trickier than a straightforward French power game.

La Rochelle probably shade it on raw quality and big-game experience, but not by much. This feels like one that could swing on discipline, maul defence and who handles the pressure better in the final quarter.

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  • Expected handicap: La Rochelle -5
  • Prediction: Too close to call with confidence
  • Verdict: Genuine toss-up

Montpellier v Connacht prediction, handicap and preview

Competition: EPCR Challenge Cup
Date: Saturday
Time: 12:30pm

Connacht come into this game in excellent form after five straight wins, but this is a serious jump in class. Montpellier have far greater power, depth and top-end quality than the teams Connacht have been beating, and that is what makes this fixture so difficult to assess positively from an Irish perspective.

Connacht have shown real resilience and confidence in recent weeks, and there is no question they are playing with belief. Even so, Montpellier at home is a different proposition entirely. Their physicality through the middle of the pitch, combined with the ability to turn pressure into quick scores, means they can put teams away in bursts.

For Connacht to stay in the contest, they will need to start well, manage territory intelligently and avoid letting the game become a loose, broken-field battle dominated by the hosts. On paper, though, Montpellier look too strong.

  • Expected handicap: Montpellier -16
  • Prediction: Montpellier to win
  • Likely margin: Somewhere around the handicap looks about right

European rugby weekend predictions summary

Leinster look the most straightforward call of the three Irish provinces this weekend and should have too much for Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup. Ulster against La Rochelle has all the ingredients of a classic and feels the hardest match to confidently pick. Connacht’s recent run deserves respect, but Montpellier away in the Challenge Cup looks a step too far.

  • Best bet on the handicap: Leinster -20
  • Hardest game to call: Ulster v La Rochelle
  • Most dangerous away trip: Connacht at Montpellier

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EPCR Predictions: Leinster v Sale, Ulster v La Rochelle and Montpellier v Connacht Handicaps

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Full EPCR weekend predictions, handicap lines and previews for Leinster v Sale Sharks, Ulster v La Rochelle and Montpellier v Connacht.

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Cubs edge D-backs to pull within half-game of first

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MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago CubsMay 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) high fives the fans after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Michael Busch had two hits, including a two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs used two three-run innings to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday in the first game of a weekend series.

Busch triggered a three-run first with a bases-loaded single, then the Cubs added three more in the fourth off Diamondbacks starter off Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third win in four games and ninth straight home win. They have won 13 of 16 to pull within a half-game of the Cincinnati Reds for first in the NL Central.

Cubs starter Colin Rea (4-1) gave up two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six with no walks. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for his first save, the sixth Cub reliever to record a save this season.

Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a career-high four hits to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .404. Geraldo Perdomo cracked a three-run homer to cap a four-run sixth and pull the D-backs within 6-5, but they managed just one baserunner over the final three innings.

Vargas singled in the first to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games. His 27-game streak dating to last September ranks as the longest in the majors since Trea Turner’s 27-game run in 2022.

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Per Elias, Vargas’ season-opening streakstands as the longest in the majors since the Detroit Tigers’ Ron LeFlore hit in 30 straight in 1976. His 27-game streak ranks second in Arizona history behind Luis Gonzalez (30, 1999).

Carson Kelly had two hits for the Cubs and Alex Bergman and Dansby Swanson had RBI hits in the three-run fourth that pushed their lead to 6-1.

Jorge Barrosa had two doubles — one a bunt that kicked off the third base bag into left field — and scored twice for Arizona. Perdomo also had two hits for the D-backs, who have lost seven of 10.

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Gallen gave up six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.

Nico Hoerner doubled to open the three-run first and Gallen walked to load the bases. Busch hit a two-run single, then the third run scored when Kelly’s catchable pop to center fell safely.

Vargas singled in a run in the third before the Cubs knocked out Gallen in the fourth. The D-backs got within 6-5 with a four-run sixth, all scoring after Rea was replaced by Ryan Rolison with one out and one on.

Pinch-hitter Tim Tawa walked and Barrosa pushed a hard bunt down the third base line. When Bregman let it roll, the ball hit the bag and kicked into short left. Perdomo followed with a three-run homer.

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Hoerner was replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw in the second inning. Hoerner was removed with a neck strain, the Cubs said.

–Field Level Media

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Scottie Scheffler to skip Truist Championship in run-up to PGA

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PGA: Cadillac Championship - First RoundApr 30, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Cadillac Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

The field list for the Truist Championship is out and, once again, Scottie Scheffler is not on it.

The World No. 1 opted not to compete at the $20 million signature event one week before the second major of the season, the PGA Championship.

The rest of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking are in the field, announced Friday, except for eighth-ranked Russell Henley. The tournament will be played May 7-10 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.

Scheffler also opted out of the Truist in 2025, when it was moved to Philadelphia Cricket Club for one year because Quail Hollow hosted the PGA Championship the following week.

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Scheffler went on to claim his third major and first PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, but that wasn’t enough to entice him to play the course again this year.

Scheffler has won just once on tour this year — at The American Express in January — but he has four other top-five finishes that include back-to-back second-place showings at the Masters and the RBC Heritage.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who’s sitting out this week’s Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, will endeavor to win his fifth tournament at Quail Hollow. When the Truist was known as the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy lifted the trophy in 2010, 2015, 2021 and 2024.

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–Field Level Media

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League of Legends LoLdle answers 1395 (Saturday, May 2, 2026)

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The League of Legends LoLdle answers for May 2, 2026, are now revealed. While deciphering the puzzles of the 1395th edition may seem perplexing, most diligent fans should be able to follow the hints provided. Nonetheless, an in-depth understanding of the champions’ numerous characteristics is somewhat required.

With that said, here is the Quote puzzle in the 1395th iteration of LoLdle:

“Bear hug!”


All League of Legends LoLdle answers for the 1395th edition (May 2, 2026)

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The League of Legends LoLdle answers for May 2 are shown below:

  • Classic: Lucian
  • Quote: Annie
  • Ability: Irelia; Bonus: Passive (Ionian Fervor)
  • Emoji: Seraphine
  • Splash Art: Corki; Bonus: Default Corki

The Classic answer of May 2 LoLdle is Lucian. That said, the Quote puzzle indicates Annie, a champion who is rated amongst some of the best choices in the mid lane role meta in League of Legends.

Next, the Ability riddle has Irelia’s Passive ability, “Ionian Fervor,” while the Emojis show Seraphine’s characteristics. Lastly, it is Corki’s Default skin in the Splash Art enigma.

Read more: Which team is Diable joining? LoL prodigy seals surprise LCK trade before April 30 deadline


Previous League of Legends LoLdle answers

Zaahen is now a guessable champion! Happy LoLdles ⚔️

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Here are some of the previous League of Legends LoLdle answers:

  • LoLdle 1394 (May 1): Blitzcrank, Skarner, Diana, Vi, Qiyana
  • LoLdle 1393 (April 30): Bel’Veth, Sion, Aatrox, Kayle, Elise
  • LoLdle 1392 (April 29): Garen, Nocturne, Kayn, Ivern, Amumu
  • LoLdle 1391 (April 28): Vayne, Karthus, Kassadin, Kayn, Renata Glasc
  • LoLdle 1390 (April 27): Kalista, Swain, Quinn, Singed, Mordekaiser
  • LoLdle 1389 (April 26): Xerath, Garen, Graves, Aatrox, Nami
  • LoLdle 1388 (April 25): Alistar, Bel’Veth, Smolder, Varus, Singed
  • LoLdle 1387 (April 24): Zac, Lillia, Singed, Lucian, Syndra
  • LoLdle 1386 (April 23): Gragas, Vex, Hwei, Fiddlesticks, Sivir
  • LoLdle 1385 (April 22): Vel’Koz, Sivir, Olaf, Udyr, Master Yi
  • LoLdle 1384 (April 21): Corki, Ashe, Zed, Illaoi, Jhin
  • LoLdle 1383 (April 20): Neeko, Shaco, Zoe, Maokai, Seraphine

The answers to the 1397th entry of LoLdle will be shared on May 3, 2026.


Check out more LoL news and updates: