Champions Cup

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

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Leinster dominate European Player of the Year shortlist

24 April 2018 0 comments

Tadhg Furlong becomes first prop to be nominated for the EPCR accolade since 2011

Racing 92 are my Gallic Barbarians

22 April 2018 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher traces the romantic history of the famous French side which play with panache Influential: Maxime Machenaud PICTURES: Getty Images THERE was a moment […]

Earls returns as Munster shake up the backs

22 April 2018 0 comments

MUNSTER, chasing their fifth appearanc in a European Cup final, have boldly moved their quarter-final hero Andrew Conway to full-back for their semifinal against Munster […]

Jackson and Olding face bigger trial among public

22 April 2018 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK What happens next to Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding is less about them being cleared of rape […]

Bearly credible, this Bristol ursine rebrand

22 April 2018 0 comments

THE marketing brains behind Bristol’s rebranding as Bears could not have struck a more timely PC note. During a season in which two players, Mathieu […]

Magnificent Leinster show why they are title favourites

22 April 2018 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Consolation: Tadhg Beirne breaks clear to score for the Scarlets LEINSTER made such mincemeat of the Scarlets in this five tries to […]

TEAMS: Racing 92 v Munster

20 April 2018 0 comments

Earls returns from injury to start on the wing

TEAMS: Leinster v Scarlets

20 April 2018 0 comments

Dan Jones starts at 10 as Patchell moves to full back

Quinnell: Scarlets can do a Liverpool

19 April 2018 0 comments

Scott Quinnell looks ahead to the weekend’s clash at the Aviva Stadium between Leinster and his old team Scarlets

Wayne Pivac could bring Scarlets flair to Wales

3 April 2018 0 comments

Peter Jackson brings you the latest in the WRU’s search for Warren Gatland’s successor after next year’s World Cup

It’s good England lost in Six Nations says Billy!

1 April 2018 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD NEWS EXTRA BILLY Vunipola has surprisingly claimed that England’s Six Nations nightmare is a “good thing which will make us hungier”. The […]

Conway’s wonder try gets gutsy Irish home

1 April 2018 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Stopped: Chris Ashton is tackled THIS was Munster at their best. A bunch of bold, brassy scrappers rising to the occasion in […]

All we had to do was kick the ball out and we were through groans Ashton

1 April 2018 0 comments

HAVING given a typically abrasive performance at blindside, Munster captain Peter O’Mahony, left, heaped praise on his team-mates for a gutsy display, and to the […]

Lozowski looking for a big finish to book Boks place

1 April 2018 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Coming force: Alex Lozowski SARACENS fly-half Alex Lozowski knows a matchwinning display against Leinster today will enhance his chances of adding to […]

Sweeping changes for Clermont after Toulon humbling

1 April 2018 0 comments

Preview Clermont v Racing 92 Today, Kick-off 2pm CLERMONT have made 12 changes to the side that was defeated 49-0 by Toulon last weekend. Patricio […]

Scarlets surge into last four as Beirne enjoys luck of the Irish

1 April 2018 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Sealing the deal: Rhys Patchell scores PICTURES: Huw Evans CLOSE-UP KEN OWENS Scarlets hooker v PIERRE BOURGARIT La Rochelle hooker Skipper Owens […]

Skipper Owens salutes ace kicker Halfpenny

1 April 2018 0 comments

SCARLETS captain Ken Owens hailed the contribution of full-back Leigh Halfpenny. He said: “It’s knockout rugby, we’ve learnt that you can try and play as […]

Hurricanes ace Fatialofa signs on with Solomons

1 April 2018 1 comment

NEWS EXTRA Chief: Alex Cuthbert WORCESTER Warriors have signed Hurricanes lock Michael Fatialofa, 25, on a two-year deal. Fatialofa, below, is Warriors’ ninth signing for […]

Champions Cup preview: Fancy Leinster to copy class of ’09

28 March 2018 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher examines the upcoming Champions Cup quarter-final fixtures this weekend

Eddie won’t hang about if England flop again

21 January 2018 1 comment

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK HERE’S a prediction. If Eddie Jones does not win the 2019 World Cup, or at the very […]

Big guns return to help restore Tigers pride

21 January 2018 0 comments

Preview Leicester v Racing 92 Today, Kick-off 1pm. Welford Road LEICESTER’S grim season is at a crossroads and Dan Cole knows only a moraleboosting display […]

Superb Hogg sends Six Nations warning

21 January 2018 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY RETURNING Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg declared himself itching for Six Nations duty after delivering a superb display as Glasgow ended their European […]

Montpellier outwitted as Leinster nous earns top billing

21 January 2018 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER LEINSTER swept into the quarter-finals as top seeds with a clever win over Montpellier, changing their tactics at half-time to deny the […]

O’Mahoney fit for Munster’s Pool decider

21 January 2018 1 comment

Preview Munster v Castres Today, Kick-off 1pm. Thomond Park FLANKER Peter O’Mahony has recovered from an ankle injury in time to captain Munster in an […]

Seven tries not enough for Bath to survive

21 January 2018 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD BATH were left with major European regrets as they slipped sadly and painfully out of the Champions Cup after going on a […]

We’ll prove we’re no softies at Wasps says Gaskell

21 January 2018 1 comment

Preview Wasps v Ulster Today, Kick-off 3.15pm. Ricoh Arena JAMES Gaskell knows Wasps must sharpen their defence or forget about silverware this season. Gaskell’s side […]

Dan’s the star man as Scarlets sizzle

21 January 2018 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING SEVENTEEN points from Dan Jones was just enough for Scarlets to win a thrilling Pool 5 decider and put the Welsh region […]

Versatile Lang proving valuable in breakthrough season

21 January 2018 0 comments

Preview La Rochelle v Harlequins Today, Kick-off 3.15pm JAMES Lang aims to prove why Marcus Smith is not the only Harlequins rookie with a big […]

At last, Sarries show class of champions

21 January 2018 0 comments

By NICK CAIN WITH Mako Vunipola wielding the cudgel up front and Owen Farrell slipping the dagger in when Northampton had been battered, this – […]

Biggar and Ospreys left wincing as Parra puts the boot in

21 January 2018 1 comment

By ROB COLE DAN Biggar handed Wales an injury scare as he left the field six minutes from time with his right shoulder supported by […]

Sarries are hanging on after penalty shoot-out

14 January 2018 1 comment

By ALEX BYWATER Ospreys 15pts Penalties: Biggar 31, 40, 44, 72, 80 Saracens 15pts Penalties: Farrell 6, 20, 34, 48, 76 Before the injury: Billy […]

Ulster stay afloat after riding tide of emotion

14 January 2018 0 comments

By DARAGH SMALL Ulster 20pts Tries: Best 28, Stockdale 35, Timoney 45 Conversions: Cooney 50 Penalties: Cooney 46 La Rochelle 13pts Tries: Bales 43 Conversions: […]

Ashton hunts bonus

14 January 2018 0 comments

Preview… Toulon v Benetton Today, Kick-off 1pm CHRIS Ashton starts on the left wing for Toulon as they look to earn a bonus point win […]

Scarlets in talks to bring North back

14 January 2018 1 comment

NEWS EXTRA By ALEX BYWATER SCARLETS are in talks to re-sign George North for the start of next season after the Ospreys cooled their interest […]

Super Scarlets pull plug on Bath hopes

14 January 2018 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Bath 17pts Tries: Banahan 57, Mercer 73 Conversions: Burns 57, 73 Penalties: Burns 21 Scarlets 35pts Tries: Beirne 10, Asquith 24, Parkes […]

We were outplayed all round – Todd

14 January 2018 0 comments

BATH director of rugby Todd Blackadder was unhappy that a great opportunity to qualify had been thrown away. He said: “It’s inexcusable as that’s our […]

Farewell to Hale, one of Cardiff rugby’s favourites

14 January 2018 0 comments

CARDIFF’S oldest player (definitely) and Wales’ most venerable player (arguably) passed away this week when Graham Hale died aged 97. Remarkably Hale scored the winning […]

Cold revenge not so sweet for Marler

14 January 2018 0 comments

Banned: Joe Marler NOBODY has yet pinned down the origins of the ubiquitous phrase ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’, possibly because in many […]

RUGBY MATTERS

14 January 2018 1 comment

Hartpury production line set for more Test success BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points Making strides: Jake Polledri IN years […]

Tragic loss of Henley stalwart Priestley

14 January 2018 0 comments

HENLEY Rugby club are reeling from the sudden death of club stalwart Simon Priestley, who collapsed and died on the field last Saturday when playing […]

Leaders of Top 14? Chiefs just blow them clean away

14 January 2018 0 comments

By MIKE SINCLAIR Hard yards: Exeter try-scorer Don Armand trucks it up PICTURES: Getty Images In the thick of it: Sam Simmonds forces his way […]

Baxter: Woody is great finisher

14 January 2018 1 comment

ENGLAND boss Eddie Jones has yet to be convinced but Exeter boss Rob Baxter believes that Olly Woodburn and Don Armand have “many caps ahead […]

Monkey’s gone, now Fitz wants eye of Tiger

14 January 2018 1 comment

PREVIEW… Castres v Leicester Today. Kick-off 5.30pm By NEALE HARVEY Demand: Mike Fitzgerald wants Leicester to show finishing power PICTURE: Getty Images LEICESTER lock Mike […]

Donnacha will know all our secrets admits O’Mahoney

14 January 2018 0 comments

Preview Racing 92 v Munster Today, Kick-off 3.15pm SIMON Zebo starts at fullback for Munster against the club he will join in the summer as […]

Sexton: The big games start now

14 January 2018 0 comments

Preview Leinster v Glasgow Today, Kick-off 1pm JOHNNY Sexton is gearing up for a big few weeks as Leinster look to cement top spot in […]

Fabulous Foden in overdrive for Saints

14 January 2018 1 comment

By ROB WILDMAN Northampton 34pts Tries: Harrison 13, Tuitavake 32, Foden 45, Pisi 64, Reinach 73 Conversions: Mallinder 45, 65, 74 Penalties: Mallinder 43 Clermont […]

Quins shock Wasps with their double comeback

14 January 2018 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Sprinter: Nizaam Carr runs in to score for Wasps HARLEQUINS, with nothing to play for but pride, effectively staged two remarkable comebacks […]

‘We’ve gone back to basics’

14 January 2018 1 comment

DYLAN Hartley reckons a “back to basics policy” has helped Northampton turn the corner under veteran Australian coach Alan Gaffney. Hartley said Gaffney had concentrated […]