Isn't it just lush to be cooked up in a sports arena with a bunch of oversized men, who have had an intimate relationship with mud far longer than most of us? So, let's talk shop – it's a Top 14 nudge match between Racing 92 and La Rochelle. You know, just saying their names gives me a sprightly spring in my voice.
La Rochelle, sitting pretty at number 5 in the Top 14, have brought a good game this regular season sporting a 2-1 record and showcasing some robust performances. Toulouse might have knocked them around a bit, but their solid win against Pau shows that they can bounce back like a rubber ball in a squash game.
Meanwhile, Racing 92, who are lounging at the number 9 spot, haven't quite found their rhythm. A rough 1-2 record is like a stone in the shoe for them as they limp into the next round. They've been flapping around more than a seal out of water thanks to Union Bordeaux Bègles – not once, but twice.
History shows a seesaw battle between these two. Both have had their glorious stand-on-the-podium moments, and both have had their face-in-the-mud moments. But their most recent encounter seems to have La Rochelle singing 'We are the Champions'.
So, my dear punters, put your feathered hats on. This is going to be as thrilling as watching paint dry - with a dash of intermittent extreme violence. So who am I backing like a nagging mother-in-law behind her son-in-law?
Albert’s Prediction: La Rochelle by 4