Friday:

**Bayonne vs. Glasgow**
*Kick-Off: 8:00 PM*
Handicap: Bayonne -5
The anticipated handicap favors Bayonne by 5 points in this clash against Glasgow. TNT Sports brings this matchup live to your screens.

**Northampton vs. Toulon**
*Kick-Off: 8:00 PM*
Handicap: Northampton -5
Northampton holds a handicap advantage of 5 points against Toulon in this crucial match broadcasted by TNT Sports.

Saturday:

**Saracens vs. Connacht**
*Kick-Off: 1:00 PM*
Handicap: Saracens -18
Saracens enter the game with a significant 18-point handicap against Connacht, looking to secure a substantial win.

**Stormers vs. La Rochelle**
*Kick-Off: 1:00 PM*
Handicap: Stormers -5
The Stormers hold a slight 5-point handicap advantage against La Rochelle, promising an intriguing contest.

**Bordeaux vs. Bristol**
*Kick-Off: 3:15 PM*
Handicap: Bordeaux -16
Bordeaux aims to capitalize on a 16-point handicap against Bristol in this high-stakes encounter.

**Leinster vs. Sale**
*Kick-Off: 5:30 PM*
Handicap: Leinster -24
Leinster boasts a significant 24-point handicap against Sale, setting the stage for a dominant performance.

**Lyon vs. Bulls**
*Kick-Off: 5:30 PM*
Handicap: Lyon -8
Lyon holds an 8-point handicap advantage against the Bulls, expecting a hard-fought battle on the field.

**Cardiff vs. Bath**
*Kick-Off: 8:00 PM*
Handicap: Bath +8
Bath enters the match with an 8-point handicap advantage against Cardiff, aiming to upset the odds.

**Ulster vs. Racing 92**
*Kick-Off: 8:00 PM*
Handicap: Ulster -2
Ulster holds a narrow 2-point handicap against Racing 92, expecting a closely contested encounter.

Sunday:

**Exeter vs. Munster**
*Kick-Off: 1:00 PM*
Handicap: Exeter -3
Exeter enters with a 3-point handicap advantage against Munster, anticipating a tightly fought battle.

**Harlequins vs. Toulouse**
*Kick-Off: 3:15 PM*
Handicap: Toulouse -3
Toulouse holds a slight 3-point handicap against Harlequins, promising a thrilling Sunday clash.

**Stade Francais vs. Leicester**

*Kick-Off: 5:30 PM*
Handicap: Stade Francais -7
Stade Francais enters the game with a 7-point handicap against Leicester, expecting a hard-fought victory.

—

Keep an eye on the handicaps as they often add a layer of unpredictability to these matchups. Catch all the live action on TNT Sports and witness the exhilarating rugby battles unfold across the weekend!

The post Champions Cup Rugby – Matches, Kick-Offs, Betting & TV details appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The 2023/24 Heineken Champions Cup will be competed for by 24 elite clubs with eight representatives from the United Rugby Championship (URC)

Tier 1 was made up of Stade Rochelais (Heineken Champions Cup winners), Stade Toulousain (TOP 14 winners), Saracens (Premiership winners) and Munster (URC winners). The remaining 20 clubs were either drawn or allocated into the four pools in keeping with the draw’s key principles.

The Tier 1 and the Tier 4 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league, will play one another home and away during the pool stage, as will the Tier 2 and Tier 3 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league.

The 2023/24 EPCR season preparations took a significant stride forward as the EPCR Pool Draws were successfully conducted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This state-of-the-art venue hosted the draws, setting the stage for an exciting Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup season that awaits fans worldwide.

The tournament format, featuring multiple pools, guarantees thrilling encounters between some of the most prominent professional clubs in the world. These matchups will undoubtedly captivate audiences when the tournaments kick off in December.

The reigning champions, Stade Rochelais, found themselves in a highly competitive Pool 4, where they will once again lock horns with Leinster Rugby, renewing the intense rivalry that was witnessed in last May’s gripping final. Stade Rochelais, aiming for a third consecutive title, will also face off against the formidable DHL Stormers, Sale Sharks, and Leicester Tigers, with the venue for each match yet to be determined. Pool 4 also welcomed Stade Francais Paris as the second TOP 14 representative.

Pool 1 will witness a clash between Gallagher Premiership victors, Saracens, and strong contenders Vodacom Bulls, Union Bordeaux-Begles, Lyon, and Connacht Rugby. It’s worth noting that Bristol Bears, also drawn into Pool 1, will not face Saracens due to the draw’s principles.

Stade Toulousain, recent winners of the TOP 14, have found themselves in Pool 2, where they will compete against Harlequins, Bath Rugby, Ulster Rugby, and Cardiff Rugby. Notably, Racing 92, also in Pool 2, will not face Stade Toulousain, adding to the anticipation.

Pool 3 features Munster Rugby, triumphant in the United Rugby Championship (URC), pitted against illustrious opponents such as three-time champions RC Toulon, 2020 winners Exeter Chiefs, Northampton Saints, and debutants Aviron Bayonnais. Furthermore, Glasgow Warriors, the second URC representative in Pool 3, will engage in battles against the same formidable opponents as Munster.

The Champions Cup pools consist of two clubs from each of the TOP 14, Gallagher Premiership, and United Rugby Championship (URC) leagues. Notably, Irish and South African teams from the URC were intentionally kept apart during the draw, ensuring diverse matchups.

Tier 1 comprised the previous season’s winners: Stade Rochelais, Stade Toulousain, Saracens, and Munster. The remaining 20 clubs were assigned to the pools, adhering to the key principles of the draw, which set the stage for a season filled with high-quality rugby and fierce competition.

The post Draw, Groups and Fixtures for 2023/24 Champions Cup Rugby appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Former Connacht Coach and now Bristol Bears’ Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, will make a return to Galway when the Challenge Cup winners face off against Connacht and Clermont in Pool B.

For the purposes of the draw, the 24 clubs which qualified from the Premiership, the PRO14 and the TOP 14 were classified into four tiers based on their performances in the knockout phases of their respective leagues, and/or on their qualifying positions in their respective league tables.

Each tier contained six clubs with Tier 1 made up of the number one and number two ranked clubs from each league, and Tier 2, the number three and number four ranked clubs from each league, and so on.

Starting with Tier 1, the clubs were either drawn or allocated into either Pool A or Pool B so that each pool contained 12 clubs with no clubs in the same tier from the same league in the same pool.

The key principles regarding the pool stage fixtures are that clubs will only play against opponents in the same pool, and clubs from the same league cannot play against one another.

The Tier 1 and Tier 4 clubs which were drawn in the same pool, but which are not from the same league, will play one another home and away over four rounds. The same principle applies to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 clubs which were drawn in the same pool, but which are not from the same league.

The exact dates of the Heineken Champions Cup pool stage fixtures and the Challenge Cup preliminary stage fixtures, including venues, kick-off times and TV coverage, will be announced as soon as possible following consultation with clubs and EPCR’s partner broadcasters.

The four highest-ranked clubs from each Heineken Champions Cup pool will qualify for the quarter-finals which will be played over two legs, and the clubs ranked from number five to number eight in each pool will qualify for the Round of 16 of the Challenge Cup.

Today’s draw, which mapped out the first steps on the journey to the 2021 Marseille finals weekend, was conducted by EPCR Chief Executive, Vincent Gaillard, and by EPCR Commercial and Brand Manager, Anya Alderslade. The event scrutineer was Lausanne-based solicitor, Jean-Guillaume Amiguet.

2020/21 HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

POOL A (with opponents in brackets)
Bordeaux-Bègles (Dragons, Northampton Saints)
Leinster Rugby (Montpellier, Northampton Saints)
Wasps (Dragons, Montpellier)
Bath Rugby (La Rochelle, Scarlets)
Edinburgh Rugby (La Rochelle, Sale Sharks)
RC Toulon (Sale Sharks, Scarlets)
La Rochelle (Bath Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby)
Sale Sharks (Edinburgh Rugby, RC Toulon)
Scarlets (Bath Rugby, RC Toulon)
Dragons (Bordeaux-Bègles, Wasps)
Montpellier (Leinster Rugby, Wasps)
Northampton Saints (Bordeaux-Bègles, Leinster Rugby)

POOL B (with opponents in brackets)
Exeter Chiefs (Glasgow Warriors, Toulouse)
Lyon (Glasgow Warriors, Gloucester Rugby)
Ulster Rugby (Gloucester Rugby, Toulouse)
Bristol Bears (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Connacht Rugby)
Munster Rugby (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Harlequins)
Racing 92 (Connacht Rugby, Harlequins)
ASM Clermont Auvergne (Bristol Bears, Munster Rugby)
Connacht Rugby (Bristol Bears, Racing 92)
Harlequins (Munster Rugby, Racing 92)
Glasgow Warriors (Exeter Chiefs, Lyon)
Gloucester Rugby (Lyon, Ulster)
Toulouse (Exeter Chiefs, Ulster Rugby)

2020/21 season weekends
Round 1 – 11/12/13 December 2020
Round 2 – 18/19/20 December 2020
Round 3 – 15/16/17 January 2021
Round 4 – 22/23/24 January 2021
Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, 1st leg – 2/3/4 April 2021
Challenge Cup Round of 16 – 2/3/4 April 2021
Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, 2nd leg – 9/10/11 April 2021
Challenge Cup quarter-finals – 9/10/11 April 2021
Semi-finals – 30 April – 1/2 May 2021

2021 finals – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Challenge Cup final – Friday 21 May
Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 22 May

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Munster Rugby will renew their European rivalry with ASM Clermont Auvergne and Harlequins in Pool B.

For the purposes of the draw, the 24 clubs which qualified from the Premiership, the PRO14 and the TOP 14 were classified into four tiers based on their performances in the knockout phases of their respective leagues, and/or on their qualifying positions in their respective league tables.

Each tier contained six clubs with Tier 1 made up of the number one and number two ranked clubs from each league, and Tier 2, the number three and number four ranked clubs from each league, and so on.

Starting with Tier 1, the clubs were either drawn or allocated into either Pool A or Pool B so that each pool contained 12 clubs with no clubs in the same tier from the same league in the same pool.

The key principles regarding the pool stage fixtures are that clubs will only play against opponents in the same pool, and clubs from the same league cannot play against one another.

The Tier 1 and Tier 4 clubs which were drawn in the same pool, but which are not from the same league, will play one another home and away over four rounds. The same principle applies to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 clubs which were drawn in the same pool, but which are not from the same league.

The exact dates of the Heineken Champions Cup pool stage fixtures and the Challenge Cup preliminary stage fixtures, including venues, kick-off times and TV coverage, will be announced as soon as possible following consultation with clubs and EPCR’s partner broadcasters.

The four highest-ranked clubs from each Heineken Champions Cup pool will qualify for the quarter-finals which will be played over two legs, and the clubs ranked from number five to number eight in each pool will qualify for the Round of 16 of the Challenge Cup.

Today’s draw, which mapped out the first steps on the journey to the 2021 Marseille finals weekend, was conducted by EPCR Chief Executive, Vincent Gaillard, and by EPCR Commercial and Brand Manager, Anya Alderslade. The event scrutineer was Lausanne-based solicitor, Jean-Guillaume Amiguet.

2020/21 HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

POOL A (with opponents in brackets)
Bordeaux-Bègles (Dragons, Northampton Saints)
Leinster Rugby (Montpellier, Northampton Saints)
Wasps (Dragons, Montpellier)
Bath Rugby (La Rochelle, Scarlets)
Edinburgh Rugby (La Rochelle, Sale Sharks)
RC Toulon (Sale Sharks, Scarlets)
La Rochelle (Bath Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby)
Sale Sharks (Edinburgh Rugby, RC Toulon)
Scarlets (Bath Rugby, RC Toulon)
Dragons (Bordeaux-Bègles, Wasps)
Montpellier (Leinster Rugby, Wasps)
Northampton Saints (Bordeaux-Bègles, Leinster Rugby)

POOL B (with opponents in brackets)
Exeter Chiefs (Glasgow Warriors, Toulouse)
Lyon (Glasgow Warriors, Gloucester Rugby)
Ulster Rugby (Gloucester Rugby, Toulouse)
Bristol Bears (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Connacht Rugby)
Munster Rugby (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Harlequins)
Racing 92 (Connacht Rugby, Harlequins)
ASM Clermont Auvergne (Bristol Bears, Munster Rugby)
Connacht Rugby (Bristol Bears, Racing 92)
Harlequins (Munster Rugby, Racing 92)
Glasgow Warriors (Exeter Chiefs, Lyon)
Gloucester Rugby (Lyon, Ulster)
Toulouse (Exeter Chiefs, Ulster Rugby)

2020/21 season weekends
Round 1 – 11/12/13 December 2020
Round 2 – 18/19/20 December 2020
Round 3 – 15/16/17 January 2021
Round 4 – 22/23/24 January 2021
Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, 1st leg – 2/3/4 April 2021
Challenge Cup Round of 16 – 2/3/4 April 2021
Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, 2nd leg – 9/10/11 April 2021
Challenge Cup quarter-finals – 9/10/11 April 2021
Semi-finals – 30 April – 1/2 May 2021

2021 finals – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Challenge Cup final – Friday 21 May
Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 22 May

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‪The updated seedings for what tiers each team fits into the Champions Cup will be as follows: Connacht are in Tier 3 not in tier 4

The decision to alter the formats for next season on an exceptional basis has been made against the backdrop of the COVID-19 public health crisis and its ongoing impact on the professional club game in Europe.

Champions Cup explaining video

The 2020/21 Heineken Champions Cup will be competed for by 24 clubs with the eight highest-ranked representatives from the Gallagher Premiership, the Guinness PRO14 and the TOP 14 securing their places.

The clubs will be divided into two pools of 12 by means of a draw and the tournament will be played over eight weekends with four rounds of matches in the pool stage followed by a knockout stage consisting of home and away quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final in Marseille on 22 May 2021.

Separated into tiers

For the purposes of the pool draw, the clubs will be separated into tiers, and clubs from the same league in the same tier will not be drawn into the same pool. The number 1 and number 2 ranked clubs from each league will be in Tier 1, the number 3 and number 4 ranked clubs will be in Tier 2, the number 5 and 6 ranked clubs will be in Tier 3, and the number 7 and number 8 ranked clubs will be in Tier 4.

The Tier 1 and the Tier 4 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league, will play one another home and away during the pool stage, as will the Tier 2 and Tier 3 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league.

The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool will qualify for the quarter-finals, and the clubs ranked numbers 5 to 8 in each pool will compete in the knockout stage of the Challenge Cup.

“With an expanded knockout stage and no repeats of domestic matches during the pool stage, this format creates brand new competitive opportunities for Europe’s elite clubs and their fans,” said EPCR Chairman, Simon Halliday. “In this time of change, the Heineken Champions Cup with its global stars of the game, its passionate supporters and its unique match-day atmosphere undoubtedly remains The One to Win.”

QUALIFIED CLUBS FOR 2020/21 HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

PRO14: Leinster Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby, Munster Rugby, Ulster Rugby, Scarlets, Glasgow Warriors, Connacht Rugby, Dragons (Rankings TBC at conclusion of current season)
TOP 14: Bordeaux-Bègles, Lyon, Racing 92, RC Toulon, La Rochelle, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Toulouse, *Montpellier or Castres Olympique
Premiership: TBC

The updated seedings for what tiers each team fits into the Champions Cup will be as follows:

Tier 1: Both Guinness PRO14 Finalists for the 2019/20 season.
Tier 2: Both losing semi-finalists from the 2019/20 season.
Tier 3: Scarlets (37 pts after R13), Connacht (35 pts after R13)
Tier 4: Glasgow Warriors (34 pts after R13), Dragons (22 pts after R13).

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