Champions Cup

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

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

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Young: Defence just not good enough

14 January 2018 0 comments

WASPS director of rugby Dai Young lamented: “We got what we deserved. We probably won that game three times and let them back in it. […]

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: […]