Champions Cup

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s Champions Cup news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

Three-try blitz blows Bath out of Europe

8 December 2019 0 comments

■By NEALE HARVEY Hot prospect: Samuel Ezeala breaks through to score Clermont’s second try PICTURE: Getty Images Slicing through: Rhys Priestland goes in for Bath’s […]

Ezeala is next big thing for France

8 December 2019 0 comments

FORMER Rec favourite Nick Abendanon haunted Bath on his 50th Heineken Cup appearance. He said: “Bath played well in the first half but our defensive […]

It’s much ado about nothing at Thomond

8 December 2019 1 comment

■By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Arm wrestle: Saracens lock Will Skelton is tackled by Tadhg Beirne and Billy Holland PICTURES: Getty Images No way though: Peter O’Mahony […]

McCall: Bonus point is important

8 December 2019 0 comments

SARACENS director of rugby Mark McCall hopes the losing bonus point will be significant. “I’m frustrated but proud of certain things, this is quite a […]

Ospreys pay for Evans early red

8 December 2019 0 comments

■By ALEX BYWATER Early hope: Ospreys wing Hanno Dirksen celebrates after scoring the first try Gone: Dan Evans is sent off in the first minute […]

Back-to-back wins can keep us in the hunt says Harris

8 December 2019 1 comment

■By NEALE HARVEY BUSTLING centre Chris Harris says moving to Gloucester has provided the perfect pick-me-up after his World Cup heartache with Scotland. With a […]

Kolbe makes his return

8 December 2019 0 comments

POOL 5 PREVIEW… Toulouse v Montepellier Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, Stade Ernest Wallon WORLD Cup hero Cheslin Kolbe makes his return to Toulouse colours for today’s […]

PRL secrecy is an insult to all club rugby fans

8 December 2019 1 comment

NICK CAIN IS Premiership Rugby fit for purpose? Is the governing body of the multi-million pound club game in England understaffed, overworked or just plain […]

This snub to Lions does game disservice

8 December 2019 0 comments

PRL’s decision this week to deny the 2021 Lions a crucial extra week of preparation for their tour of South Africa – and the chance […]

Lyon finally break their Champions Cup duck

8 December 2019 0 comments

LYON cruised to their first ever win in the Heineken Champions Cup at Matmut Stadium de Gerland after eight successive defeats in the competition and […]

Feel the gap – Saints are hit by 7-try pummeling

8 December 2019 0 comments

■From NICK CAIN at Franklin’s Gardens Rout: Ed Byrne dives over for the final Leinster try PICTURE: Getty Images NORTHAMPTON may be sitting at the […]

TEAMS: Leinster take counter-measures to combat Naiyaravoro

6 December 2019 0 comments

Full team news for this weekend’s Champions Cup action

Allen Clarke leaves Ospreys after ‘dark period’ in season

26 November 2019 0 comments

The Ospreys head coach leaves the region following a difficult start to the season

Ackermann rings the changes for Montpellier test

24 November 2019 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY New lease: Joe Simpson is feeling rejuvenated at Kingsholm SCRUM-HALFJoe Simpson insists Gloucester are faced with no other choice but to rotate […]

Supreme Sexton helps Leinster nullify mighty giants of Lyon pack

24 November 2019 1 comment

By TOM PRITCHARD A RESILIENT defensive performance against a giant French opposition and a man-of-the-match display from Johnny Sexton saw Leinster triumph in Lyon to […]

Warriors fall to Castres power at breakdown

24 November 2019 0 comments

By TIM LEWIS Held: No way through for Geoffrey Palis of Castres WORCESTER came up short in France as they were outmuscled by a strong […]

It’s ten out of ten for Exeter as stars shine

24 November 2019 0 comments

By MIKE SINCLAIR Kick chase: Chiefs wing Tom O’Flaherty dives over to score their fourth try PICTURES: Getty Images Try: Henry Slade EXETER made it […]

Franco and Irish defy musclemen of Bayonne

24 November 2019 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Touchdown: Ben Meehan scores for Irish PICTURE: Getty Images FRANCO van der Merwe produced a colossal captain’s display as Irish held off […]

Nowell conjures a magic moment

24 November 2019 0 comments

JACK NOWELL, who aims to make up for his World Cup disappointment with European success, said: “We played well – but we can be better.” […]

Brilliant Basham sparks Ryan’s ice-age Dragons

24 November 2019 0 comments

By JAMES CANDY TAINE Basham warmed up for what could be a Test debut with another standout display as the Dragons made it two from […]

89th minute kick hands Scarlets second defeat

24 November 2019 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Dead-eye: Anthony Belleau kicks the winning points THE Scarlets were left heartbroken as Toulon snatched victory deep into injury time with the […]

Johnson turns on the power for Wasps

24 November 2019 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN Debut try: Malakai Fekitoa breaks clear to score PICTURES: Getty Images Valued: Jacob Umaga Skill: Matteo Minozzi WASPS needed to produce some […]

Joe blow gives Dai Exeter problem

24 November 2019 1 comment

WASPS boss Dai Young fears Joe Launchbury will miss Saturday’s Premiership match at Exeter due to a calf injury. The England lock was led off […]

Cockerill denied byJalibert’s 78th minute penalty saver for Bordeaux

24 November 2019 0 comments

By GARY HEATLY EDINBURGH Rugby head coach Richard Cockerill was frustrated that his side switched off in the closing stages to allow Bordeaux- Begles to […]

World Cup stars have energised squad says Ross

24 November 2019 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE Japan hero: England flanker Tom Curry returns for Sale Sharks Captain: Jono Ross CLUB captain Jono Ross hopes Sale Sharks can feed […]

Savage Bears serve Brive a tasty bagle

24 November 2019 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD Flair: Try-scorer Harry Randall threatens Brive again PAT Lam acclaimed his Bears romp in France as “a big statement” in their desire […]

Quins win ugly to keep their Euro dream alive

24 November 2019 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD Star turn: Marcus Smith breaks the tackle of Christian Judge PICTURE: Getty Images PAUL Gustard praised the effort and energy of his […]

Thacker proud of defence progress

24 November 2019 0 comments

HARRY Thacker challenged his rampant Bears team-mates to keep on rolling out the wins and impressive displays after giving Brive a painful mauling. The hooker […]

Skilful Burns pulls the strings to tie up win over Clermont

24 November 2019 2 comments

By RONAN O’NEILL Accomplished: Billy Burns ULSTER head coach Dan McFarland was thrilled with his on-field generals after a crucial victory over Clermont in the […]

Walker’s try in vain as Pumas ace puts boot in

24 November 2019 0 comments

ROUND-UP STADE FRANCAIS edged out Zebre 12-13 at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi with the boot of Argentine fly-half Nicolas Sanchez ultimately proving decisive. France centre Gael […]

Hooper: We just couldn’t threaten

24 November 2019 1 comment

STUART Hooper was left bemoaning his side’s failure to put scoreboard pressure on their rivals as Bath’s European campaign hit the buffers at the Stoop. […]

Hardwick on target to frustrate the Blues

24 November 2019 1 comment

By JAMES CANDY In front: Jordan Coghlan goes over to score for Leicester PICTURE: Getty Images A LAST gasp Tom Hardwick penalty condemned the Cardiff […]

Hanrahan drop-goal goes wide so it’s a tie

24 November 2019 0 comments

By RONAN O’BRIEN MUNSTER full-back Mike Haley insisted they were thrilled to secure a draw even though his side should have beaten Racing 92 at […]

Harmony? Eddie has put boys under a bus

24 November 2019 3 comments

CHRIS HEWETT England’s coaching staff do not always sing from the same hymn sheet. Sometimes, they struggle to preach the same religion. Brian Ashton hardly […]

Boot-boy Ramos gets Toulouse over the line

24 November 2019 1 comment

By STEFFAN THOMAS ANDYFRIEND praised the resilience of his Connacht side despite falling to defeat to Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon. Tries from Sebastien Bezy, […]

Just magic if Kerevi had not been joking

24 November 2019 2 comments

SAMU Kerevi, the most effective Wallaby in a largely ineffective Australian side at the World Cup, now says he was “having a bit of a […]

Normal service as Daly inspires Saracens to scale Euro heights

24 November 2019 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER It’s a cracker: Rotimi Segun dives over to score Saracens second try PICTURES: Getty Images AFTER an eerily quiet opening quarter, debutant […]

Nerveless Dan gives Saints late salvation

24 November 2019 0 comments

By ALEX BYWATER First blood: Tom Collins goes over for Saints DAN Biggar showed nerves of steel to keep Northampton unbeaten in Europe, but it […]

I hope we made Nigel Wray proud says Jamie

24 November 2019 0 comments

ENGLAND hooker Jamie George, returning to action after the World Cup, said he hopes Saracens win over Ospreys made under-fire owner Nigel Wray proud after […]

Lawes back to take on Tigers?

24 November 2019 0 comments

Match-winner: Saints fly-half Dan Biggar on the attack PICTURES: Getty Images CHRIS Boyd set his sights on the Premiership meeting with Northampton’s biggest rivals Leicester […]

TEAMS: Elliot Daly handed first start for Saracens in Champions Cup

22 November 2019 0 comments

Elliot Daly returns after World Cup rest period to start at full-back for Saracens

EPCR fine Saracens for Champions Cup media even no-show

19 November 2019 0 comments

EPCR issue statement confirming Saracens have been fined for not sending Mark McCall or Brad Barritt to the Cardiff launch

Cronin late try so vital for Irish

17 November 2019 0 comments

MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan stressed the importance of Munster’s lastminute try which secured them a winning bonus point. Replacement hooker James Cronin touched […]

Back comes Dillane as Connacht aim to build some fresh Euro memories for fans

17 November 2019 1 comment

By ADAM ELLIS THE return of Ultan Dillane has handed a much-needed boost to Connacht’s depleted second row as Andy Friend prepares to welcome Montpellier […]

Lung-busting Simpson double still not enough

17 November 2019 1 comment

By ROGER PANTING Breakthrough: Joe Simpson dives over for Gloucester’s first try PICTURES: Getty Images Ball skills: Thomas Ramos was in fine form EVEN two […]

Johan: Lineout was just horrid

17 November 2019 1 comment

GLOUCESTER’S head coach, Johan Ackermann praised his side’s commitment. He said: “We defended well in the first quarter and Joe’s two great finishes gave the […]

Taqele: Saints are ready to compete with French aces

17 November 2019 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Making yards: Taqele Naiyaravoro has worked on his fitness Back: Courtney Lawes RETURNING England stars Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam and Piers Francis […]

Chiefs give Euro itch a welcome scratch

17 November 2019 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Fast start: Dave Dennis goes over for Exeter after eight minutes PICTURE: AFP THE European Cup has become a real bugbear for […]

Ringrose hat-trick fires a Leinster Cup warning

17 November 2019 0 comments

By RONAN O’BRIEN GARRY Ringrose scored a brilliant hat-trick of tries as Leinster got their Heineken Champions Cup campaign off to a powerful start against […]