Champions Cup

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

‘We must improve to beat Scarlets’

15 October 2017 1 comment

CHRIS Cook claims Bath must move up a gear or two if they are to be serious European contenders. The scrum-half insists a much better […]

Davies must spike big guns of Nonu and Bastareaud

15 October 2017 2 comments

■By ALEX BYWATER JONATHAN Davies is used to the big occasion. Six consecutive Test starts for the British & Irish Lions and 64 caps for […]

‘We learnt our lesson’ says Cipriani, as Wasps prepare for Ulster test

12 October 2017 0 comments

By Adam Ellis Ahead of Wasps‘ trip to face Ulster in the Champions Cup under the lights of the Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening, Danny […]

Rob Baxter plans to make Exeter Chiefs one of Europe’s elite

6 October 2017 0 comments

By Nick Cain EXETER Chiefs are rolling towards Europe’s elite clubs like a dislodged boulder of Dartmoor granite. The newly- crowned English champions are determined […]

Mallinder hits winner after Wood sees red

28 May 2017 2 comments

By NICK VERDIER NORTHAMPTON defied the odds to book their place in next season’s Champions Cup after fighting back from 22-16 with only 13 men […]

Of course Billy’s a loss, but others will step in

28 May 2017 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK The wailing and gnashing of teeth over Billy Vunipola’s withdrawal from the Lions tour party to New […]

Lions must beware getting on wrong side of ref

28 May 2017 0 comments

WHAT was evident from the high-tempo Chiefs v Crusaders clash played in Suva, Fiji, last weekend was that forward passes in Super Rugby are endemic, […]

French firepower proves too much for Blues

21 May 2017 0 comments

Stade Fr 46 Cardiff Blues 21 CARDIFF Blues will play in the Challenge Cup for the third consecutive season after defeat to Stade Francais in […]

Connacht feel force of bonecrusher Courtney

21 May 2017 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY Northampton 21pts Tries: Mallinder 2 Groom 60 Conversions: Mallinder 2 Penalties: Mallinder 16, 25, 71 Connacht 15pts Tries: Adeolokon 4 Heffernan 62 […]

Goode: We just want to get better and better

14 May 2017 0 comments

SARACENS full-back Alex Goode praised the composure of his teammates after scoring another late matchwinning try to seal victory over Clermont. Long-serving Goode stretched over […]

We’re going to miss you Ashton, try scoring ace

14 May 2017 1 comment

BRENDAN GALLAGHER No one individual ever wins a match for Saracens, it’s not how they go about their work, but it was slightly ironic that […]

Abendanon: It’s not a nice feeling but we’ll be back again

14 May 2017 1 comment

NICK Abendanon was left gutted by Saracens’ stunning finale after his side had fought their way back into the match. He said: “It’s probably a […]

Ref Owens makes it tougher for Cup heroes

14 May 2017 1 comment

Clermont 17pts Tries: Lamerat 27, Abendanon 52 Conversions: Parra 28, 54 Penalties: Parra 60 Saracens 28pts Tries: Ashton 13, Kruis 22, Goode 73 Conversions: Farrell […]

NICK CAIN’S PLAYER WATCH…

14 May 2017 0 comments

CLERMONT 1. RAPHAEL CHAUME Did his duty at the scrum, and did not stint at close quarters Rating: 6 out of 10 2. BENJAMIN KAYSER […]

Crusading Clermont are closing in on their Holy Grail

7 May 2017 1 comment

Brendan Gallagher reviews the intriguing background to next Saturday’s big match IT possibly won’t surprise you that Clermont –who took 99 years to land their […]

This is still Sarries’ time says Burger the wrecking-ball

7 May 2017 0 comments

Bone-crunching: Jacques Burger tackles Clermont’s Sitiveni Sivivatu EVERYBODY will have their own favourite MOM performance in Europe but for me nothing comes close to Jacques […]

Back row dominance will be key for Leinster

23 April 2017 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Johnny Sexton in action for Leinster during victory over Wasps. Organiser: Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster Route to the semis CLERMONT Exeter 8 […]

Abendanon: I’m coming home to push bid for 2019 World Cup

23 April 2017 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY NICK Abendanon could yet compete for an England full-back spot at the 2019 World Cup after revealing he is likely to head […]

Lopez relishing his chance on the big European stage

23 April 2017 0 comments

By NICK VERDIER CLERMONT have not been at their best in recent weeks but fly-half Camille Lopez reckons only one game matters in April – […]

Saracens show ruthless streak to stem tide of Foley’s red army

23 April 2017 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Powering over: Mako Vunipola charges through Keith Earls for the opening try PICTURES: Getty Images OWEN Farrell was determined not to leave […]

We are only going to get better says coach McCall

23 April 2017 0 comments

Pleased: Mark McCall SARACENS recorded their 17th Champions Cup win on the bounce to book their place in the final once again and boss Mark […]

Le Roux’s splash crash sums up Wasps woe

2 April 2017 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Leinster 32pts Tries: Nacewa 14, Conan 33, Henshaw 40, McFadden 73 Conversions: Sexton 34, 40, 74 Penalties: Sexton 5, 48 Wasps 17pts […]

Young: You expect a player of Willie’s quality to score that

2 April 2017 0 comments

Disappointed: Dai Young WASPS director of rugby Dai Young told how Willie Le Roux said sorry to his team-mates for dropping the ball as he […]

French giants no match for runaway Red Army

2 April 2017 1 comment

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Munster 41pts Tries: Ryan 5, Stander 48, Sweetnam 76, Conway 80 Conversions: Bleyendaal 5, 76, 80 Penalties: Bleyendaal 10, 27, 43, 53, […]

Ryan: We stood up to pack onslaught

2 April 2017 1 comment

STAR man John Ryan admitted the scoreline flattered his team after being made to work hard for the victory. “It was a tough game and […]

Saracens’ success made me sick… now it’s my turn

2 April 2017 0 comments

Neale Harvey talks to Dave Strettle about his quest to emulate his old Sarries mates PREVIEW… Clermont v Toulon Today. Kick-off 4.15 Dave Strettle admits […]

Halfpenny demands improvement ahead of showdown

2 April 2017 0 comments

By NICK VERDIER Hungry: Leigh Halfpenny LEIGH Halpfenny has urged his teammates to snap out of their travel sickness for the trip to face Clermont. […]

Mighty Mako can put the frighteners on the Warriors

2 April 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain talks to Saracens prop Mako Vunipola ahead of today’s clash Nick Cain PREVIEW… Saracens v Glasgow Today. Kick-off 1pm. Allianz Park MAKO Vunipola […]

We know it’s going to be physical says pack ace Harley

2 April 2017 1 comment

In the thick of it: Rob Harley of Glasgow tackles Edinburgh’s Damien Hoyland ROB HARLEY has been there and done it with Glasgow Warriors over […]

McCall: Don’t let rugby go same way as county cricket

2 April 2017 0 comments

MARK McCall has deep misgivings about the new 11 month season that has been foisted on Northern Hemisphere clubs, and as the man at the […]

Eurostars who can earn chance to make a late check-in for the Lions

26 March 2017 0 comments

Warren Gatland’s final selection may be swayed by stellar Euro showings says Brendan Gallagher Hooking hopeful: Saracen Jamie George Leinster Lions? Robbie Henshaw offloads to […]

Leinster v Wasps (Aviva Stadium) – April 1

26 March 2017 1 comment

Form in Europe this season: Leinster qualified as fourth seeds with their campaign being built around impressive back-to-back wins over Northampton in rounds three and […]

Munster v Toulouse (Thomond Park) – April 1

26 March 2017 1 comment

Form in Europe this season: In a fearsome looking group Munster, inspired by the memory of their late coach Anthony Foley, qualified in fine style, […]

Saracens v Glasgow (Allianz Park) – April 2

26 March 2017 0 comments

Form in Europe this season: Saracens couldn’t quite repeat their 100 per cent record in qualifying of last year but came close, their only blip […]

Clermont v Toulon (Stade Michelin) – April 2

26 March 2017 0 comments

Form in Europe this season: Clermont are one of the few French clubs who place European Cup success over the Top14 and have been pulling […]

Old Trafford in battle to host Champions Cup final

1 November 2016 0 comments

Old Trafford and the Nou Camp are among venues being considered to stage the 2018 European Champions Cup Final. Manchester United and Barcelona’s iconic stadia […]

Stade Mayol is a far cry from that surreal day in Bucharest!

22 October 2016 0 comments

by CHRIS JONES The Stade Mayol provided a vibrant background for Saracens European Champions Cup clash with Toulon yesterday and it was an experience light […]

Owen Farrell is best player in Europe says Eddie Jones

26 April 2016 0 comments

Eddie Jones has voiced his full support for Owen Farrell in the race to be crowned European Player of the Year. The England head coach […]

So pleased I kept the faith in Wasps, says Joe Launchbury

8 April 2016 0 comments

Joe Launchbury has been used to low key ends to seasons after returning from Six Nations duty over the years, but Wasps are in their […]

A preview of the Champions Cup pools

13 November 2015 0 comments

By Brendan Gallagher Pool 1: Saracens, Ulster Toulouse and Oyonnax Overview: Saracens had 15 players involved in the World Cup but have regrouped quickly and […]

Steve Meehan tips English clubs to challenge French giants

29 August 2015 0 comments

Toulon’s new backs coach Steve Meehan believes the financial disparity between English and French clubs is closing and sees no reason why a Premiership side […]

Stephen Myler insists Northampton Saints can challenge for Double

19 December 2014 0 comments

Fly-half believes Saints have a squad capable of challenging for both the Premiership and the Champions Cup.

Globetrotter Asaeli Tikoirotuma takes aim at European glory

16 October 2014 0 comments

Flying Fijian believes his big game experience can help Harlequins scale the heights both domestically and in Europe this season.

Bath chief Bruce Craig will be director of new Champions Cup

28 May 2014 1 comment

An Irish soccer convert, the mayor of a village in Provence and an English multi-millionaire are to play roles in Rugby’s new European Champions’ Cup.

Jacques Burger ‘plays every game like his last’

7 May 2014 1 comment

Saracens flanker Kelly Brown has hailed his back row partner Jacques Burger as ‘simply incredible’ after the Namibian’s display in the 46-6 Heineken Cup semi-final drubbing of Clermont Auvergne.

Old Warhorse Nathan Hines desperate to avenge Toulon ‘body blow’

25 April 2014 0 comments

Clermont second row Nathan Hines believes multi-tasking Saracens are a bigger threat to his side’s league and cup double-winning ambitions than Leicester were ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final showdown at Twickenham.

Now the Turks want to get slice of new European Cup

16 April 2014 0 comments

The new European Rugby Champions’ Cup is preparing for take-off with the airline who signed Lionel Messi during their sponsorship of FC Barcelona and Manchester United.

Jared Payne banned for two weeks

9 April 2014 1 comment

Jared Payne has been suspended for two weeks following his red card against Saracens in the Heineken Cup quart-finals on Saturday. The Ulster full-back was […]

Peter O’Mahony to have shoulder surgery

9 April 2014 0 comments

Munster Heineken Cup hopes have been dealt a big blow with the news that captain Peter O’Mahony is to undergo reconstructive shoulder surgery today and […]

Jared Payne red card hearing

8 April 2014 0 comments

Jared Payne will appear in front of a disciplinary committee tomorrow over the red card he received during the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens on […]

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