Home nation hopes are well and truly alive in rugby’s premier European cup competition
France may have taken the plaudits with the Grand Slam in this season’s Six Nations but glory in this season’s European Rugby Champions Cup is up for grabs.
We have reached the knockout stage of this season’s competition and you can screen all the highs and lows in your venue on BT Sport.
And there’s every chance that one or two sides from these shores could well be competing in the final in Marseille come the end of May.
Here’s what’s coming up in the Round of 16.
Connacht vs Leinster
Friday April 8, 8pm
Friday April 15, 5.30pm
The knockouts kick off with the fire of an all Irish encounter. Leinster, with two Pro 14 victories against their rivals to their name this season, will be the hot favourites to progress. They’ll be looking to add to their impressive tally of four Champions Cup titles, and a first since 2018.
Bordeaux vs La Rochelle
Saturday April 9, 1pm
Saturday April 16, 3pm
One French team is guaranteed to progress from this tie. Who that will be is a tough one to call. Bordeaux currently sit just above La Rochelle in the Top 14, but their opponents progressed more serenely through the Champions Cup group stages and narrowly missed out on a maiden title in last season’s final.
Sale vs Bristol
Saturday April 9, 1pm
Friday April 15, 8pm
It’s a quirk that this season’s altered format has produced so many matches between teams from the same country. And this could be one of the toughest to predict. Both sides have struggled for consistency in the Gallagher Prem. Something has to give.
Toulouse vs Ulster
Saturday April 9, 3.15pm
Saturday April 16, 8pm
Ulster’s prize for winning all four of their group games? A knockout tie against the most successful side in European club rugby and the current champions. It hardly seems fair, but a win here would go down in club folklore for the Ulstermen.
Stade Francais vs Racing 92
Saturday April 9, 5.30pm
Sunday April 17, 3.30pm
It’s another all-French clash in the Round of 16. Racing romped home in Pool A with four straight wins, while Stade Francais only clinched qualification with a comeback victory on the final day. Is momentum with them? Not judging by Racing 92’s recent comprehensive cup victory.
Exeter vs Munster
Saturday April 9, 5.30pm
Saturday April 16, 3pm
Munster were perfect in the group stages but have suffered slightly patchy form in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Exeter have also found the going a little tougher domestically this season. This could be one of the closest ties of the round.
Montpellier vs Harlequins
Sunday April 10, 1pm
Saturday April 16, 12.30pm
Harlequins were another one of the perfect teams in the group stages. And with the tournament’s top point scorer Marcus Smith in their ranks, they should be confident of finding a way past Montpellier into the Quarter Finals.
Clermont vs Leicester
Sunday April 10, 3.15pm
Saturday April 16, 5.30pm
On paper, group B winners and Gallagher Prem leaders Leicester should be too strong for Clermont, who have lost as many as they have won in the Top 14. Leicester will have the eye of the Tigers firmly fixed on the possibility of a domestic and European double.
- Screen every live European Rugby Champions Cup match live on BT Sport. For social assets to help you promote the action visit www.btsporthub.co.uk
