EDINBURGH’s Champions Cup round-of-16 tie at Leicester will take place on Friday 31 March. Glasgow’s home game in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup will be the following day.
EPCR announced the dates and kick-off times of ties in both competitions this morning, and confirmed the draw for the quarter-finals. If Edinburgh beat the Tigers at Welford Road, they will either visit Leinster or be at home to Ulster in the last eight. If Glasgow defeat the Dragons, they will again have a home tie in the quarter-finals, against either the Lions or Racing 92.
The semi-finals will be staged in Europe even if South African teams get through. The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have “home country” advantage, although EPCR have yet to spell out what this would mean for any South African team who makes it that far.
CHAMPIONS CUP Round of 16 (Pool placings in brackets, all kick-off times local)
Friday 31 March
Match 5: Leicester Tigers (Pool B, fourth place) v Edinburgh Rugby (Pool A, fifth), Mattioli Woods Welford Road (20.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport
Saturday 1 April
Match 3: Cell C Sharks (A3) v Munster Rugby (B6), Hollywoodbets Kings Park (13.30)
SuperSport / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Match 6: DHL Stormers (B3) v Harlequins (A6), DHL Stadium (16.00)
SuperSport / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Match 1: Leinster Rugby (A1) v Ulster Rugby (B8), Aviva Stadium (17.30)
RTE / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport
Match 8: Stade Rochelais (B1) v Gloucester Rugby (A8), Stade Marcel Deflandre (18.30) beIN SPORTS / France TV / BT Sport / SuperSport
Sunday 2 April
Match 2: Exeter Chiefs (A2) v Montpellier Hérault Rugby (B7), Sandy Park (12.30)
ITV / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport
Match 4: Saracens (A4) v Ospreys (B5), StoneX Stadium (15.00)
BT Sport / S4C / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport
Match 7: Stade Toulousain (B2) v Vodacom Bulls (A7), Le Stadium (16.00)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / BT Sport
Quarter-finals (7/8/9 April)
QF 1: Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 5
QF 2: Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 3
QF 3: Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 6
QF 4: Winner Match 8 v Winner Match 4
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home advantage
Semi-finals (28/29/30 April)
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2
SF 2: Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4
NB The matches will be played in Europe and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage
2023 Heineken Champions Cup final: Saturday 20 May, Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)
Friday 31 March
Match 4: Bristol Bears (A4) v ASM Clermont Auvergne (HCC9), Ashton Gate (20.00)
Viaplay-Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS
Match 8: Scarlets (B1) v CA Brive (A6), Parc y Scarlets (20.00)
S4C / beIN SPORTS
Saturday 1 April
Match 1: RC Toulon (A1) v Toyota Cheetahs (B6), Stade Félix Mayol (13.30)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / Viaplay
Match 5: Stade Francais Paris (B4) v Lyon (HCC9), Stade Jean Bouin (16.00)
beIN SPORTS
Match 7: Benetton Rugby (B2) v Connacht Rugby (A5), Stadio di Monigo (16.00)
epcrugby.tv
Match 2: Glasgow Warriors (A2) v Dragons RFC (B5), Scotstoun (17.30) Viaplay
Match 6: Emirates Lions (B3) v Racing 92 (HCC10), Emirates Airline Park (18.30)
SuperSport / beIN SPORTS / Viaplay
Match 3: Cardiff Rugby (A3) v Sale Sharks (HCC10), Cardiff Arms Park (20.00)
S4C / BT Sport
Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April
QF 1: Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 5
QF 2: Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 3
QF 3: Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 6
QF 4: Winner Match 8 v Winner Match 4
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home advantage
Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April
SF 1: winner QF 1 v winner QF 2
SF 2: winner QF 3 v winner QF 4
NB The matches will be played in Europe and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage
2023 EPCR Challenge Cup final: Friday 19 May; Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Time for a reboot of the format. Working this out has given me a headache.
Dragons at home , then either Lions or Racing 92 at home. That looks do able for Glasgow, if they make the effort. Getting that second place has paid benefits. While Edinburgh have Leicester and probably Leinster away, well that’s a tough one for them. Lets hope Edinburgh bring their Saracens game with Darcy and VDM back they will need it.