Champions Cup

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

Champions Cup defeats will spur us on – Harry Randall

22 December 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Harry Randall believes Bristol’s two Champions Cup defeats against Leinster and La Rochelle this month will help them in their quest to […]

Show Champions Cup a little more respect

22 December 2024 0 comments

By Chris Hewett You could set the clocks by it. Whenever the Walcot Old Boys team bus began one of its regular 45-mile descents from […]

Schalk Ferreira leads the way as veterans take to the pitch

22 December 2024 0 comments

Veteran props never quit, they just keep on scrummaging in ever increasing numbers which explains why Francisco Gomez Kodela fails to make the combined European […]

At least the French are going full-bore

22 December 2024 0 comments

Neutrals the world over will relish the prospect of Toulouse and La Rochelle invading Cardiff at season’s end for the seventh all-French final of Europe’s […]

Ronan O’Gara keeps on driving La Rochelle

15 December 2024 0 comments

Mark Stevens talks to the former Ireland No.10 about his plans in France – and what could happen next In the heart of La Rochelle, […]

Craig Casey blow as Munster hit by injury problems

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Jim Short Castres…………… 16pts Tries: Papali’i 12, Walcker 29 Penalties: Fernandez 48, le Brun 72 Munster…………. 14pts Tries: Hodnett 37, 68 Conversions: Crowley 38, […]

Alex Mitchell is taking Northampton Saints to next level

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Brendan Gallagher Bulls……………………………..21pts Tries: Coetzee 34, Hanekom 61, 69 Conversions: Goosen 35, 62, 70 Northampton Saints…. 30pts Tries: Hendy 31, Augustus 40, Freeman 59, […]

Mark McCall: There is no margin for error in this format so we have to back up last week

15 December 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Match Preview Stade Francais v Saracens Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stadium Mark McCall has warned his Saracens players not to be fooled by […]

Phil Dowson relieved Northampton Saints are in the swing of things

15 December 2024 0 comments

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson believes the win will provide huge relief for his squad following an underwhelming start to their Premiership season. He […]

We had to work hard for that – Jordie Barrett

15 December 2024 0 comments

By John Fallon Leinster………….. 15pts Tries: Ringrose 22, Barrett 26 Conversion: Prendergast 23 Penalty: Prendergast 49 Clermont………….. 7pts Try: Raka 4 Conversion: Jauneau 5 Jordie […]

Duncan Weir’s set for Toulon tester

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Match Preview Toulon vs Glasgow Today. 3.15pm Duncan Weir feels his Glasgow side must get to grips with Toulon’s boisterous atmosphere at […]

A bridge too far for us, says John Plumtree

15 December 2024 0 comments

Sharks boss John Plumtree claimed that the demands of the present schedule had created a ‘bridge too far’ for his squad. Plumtree said his Springbok […]

Powerful Leicester Tigers take Sharks apart with ease

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Rob Wildman Leicester Tigers…………. 56pts Tries: Montoya 10, 25; Hassell-Collins 28, Kata 36, Pollard 40, van Poortvliet 43, Clare 72, Ilione 80 Conversions: Pollard10, […]

Alex Dombrandt leads the fight for Harlequins

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Gary Fitzgerald Harlequins ……………… 53pts Tries: Murley 12, 64, 66; Care 29, Dombrandt 36, 52, 57; Riley 78 Conversions: Smith 30, 37, 53; J […]

Roebuck the star as Sale cruise in

15 December 2024 0 comments

By ROSS HEPPENSTALL Sale ……………………………………………………….. 29pts Tries: J-L du Preez 19, Roebuck 34, Carpenter 51, Curry 60 Conversions: R du Preez 35, 52, 61 Penalty: […]

Bordeaux score 26 unanswered points to shock Ulster

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Kevin Fallon Ulster …………….. 19pts Tries: Izuchukwu 7, Timoney 19, Kok 40 Conversions: Doak 8, 20 Bordeaux ……….40pts Tries: Tatafu 3, Penalty 28, Penaud […]

We’ve got our bite back – Alex Sanderson

15 December 2024 0 comments

Sale DoR Alex Sanderson said after the match: “We just wanted to be on it for longer defensively this week. “We are a little more […]

French flair is too much for Bristol Bears

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens La Rochelle …………….. 35pts Tries: Nowell 17, Latu 28, Botia 51, Seuteni 66, Berjon 79 Conversions: West 18, 29, 52, 67, 80 […]

Rob Baxter staying positive ahead of daunting test against Toulouse

15 December 2024 0 comments

Henry Slade returns to steer Exeter from fly-half as one of five changes after being rested for their opening Pool 1 defeat by the Sharks […]

Slade: We have to be all in this together

15 December 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Exeter Chiefs v Toulouse Today. Kick-off 5.30pm, Sandy Park THE importance of playing what’s in front of you rather than on […]

Ring fence has made English rugby go soft

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Nick Cain – Read his expert opinion every week The most positive aspect to come out of the opening round of the European Cup […]

Calls for change gather support

15 December 2024 0 comments

THE process of convening an SGM of the RFU is a convoluted procedural affair, and this could be a useful ally for the likes of […]

Battling Bath looking to revive cup campaign

15 December 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Benetton v Bath Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stadio di Monigo Ready for action: Vilikesa Sela and, right, Tommaso Menoncello PICTURES: Getty Images […]

The global travellers who light up game

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Chris Hewett – Thinking Allowed There is nothing especially funny about short-term memory loss, but it may just have an upside when it comes […]

Leinster have got the best in Barrett

15 December 2024 0 comments

FOR reasons best known to themselves, the Irish rugby cognoscenti are still arguing the toss over the whys and wherefores of Jordie Barrett’s move to […]

Taulupe Faletau sets the standard

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Roger Panting Cardiff……………………… 26pts Tries: Adams 17, 56, Bowen 47, Penalty 68 Conversions: Sheedy 47, 56 Cheetahs………………….. 10pts Try: de Haas 33 Conversion: Wentzel […]

Lions outlast Pau in 80-point thriller

15 December 2024 0 comments

The Lions got off the mark in the Challenge Cup with a win against Section Paloise in a 10-try thriller that was twice delayed due […]

Lyon edge past Zebre to continue perfect start

15 December 2024 0 comments

Beka Saginadze scored a late try to continue Lyon’s dominant start to their campaign with back-to-back wins. Scrum-half Esteban Gonzalez went over for Lyon before […]

Cian Prendergast takes reins

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock PREVIEW… Perpignan v Connacht Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stade Aimé Giral Connacht captain Cian Prendergast returns to lead his side for the first […]

Off-target Gloucester get lesson in finishing

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Luke Jarmyn Vannes………………………….. 43pts Tries: Benmegal 2, 46; Ruru 4, 10; Chateau 65, Blanchard 70 Conversions: Lafage 3, 5, 47, 66, 71 Penalty: Lafage […]

We were a bit Keystone Kops against Pau – Diamond

15 December 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Newcastle v Dragons Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, Kingston Park NEWCASTLE are aiming for their fifth straight home victory when they welcome the […]

Castres vs Munster – Champions Cup Preview

13 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Munster, fresh from a resounding victory last week, will travel to France to take on Castres in the second round […]

Sale Sharks vs Racing 92 – Match Betting Preview

12 December 2024 0 comments

The second week of the Champions Cup begins with an exhilarating Friday night clash at the Salford Community Stadium, where Sale Sharks face Racing 92. […]

Ronan O’Gara would ‘bite hands off’ for top Test coach role – but not Wales job

10 December 2024 0 comments

Ronan O’Gara says there are international jobs he would “bite people’s hands off for” as he underlined a burning desire to coach at Test level. […]

Champions Cup Team of the Week: Jordie Barrett has perfect Leinster start

9 December 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott The opening weekend of Champions Cup action did not disappoint, with the best of Europe and South Africa offering plenty of entertainment […]

Jack Nowell: I’m loving life on and off the pitch at La Rochelle

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Brendan McGilligan As Jack Nowell stepped off the plane to start his La Rochelle career, he was stepping into the unknown challenges that would […]

I’d rather have the old Champions Cup format – Stuart McCloskey

8 December 2024 0 comments

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey admits he preferred the Champions Cup’s previous format, with the current structure leaving some teams with an “absolutely terrible draw”. Teams […]

Winners? It’s hard to look beyond Toulouse – Chris Robshaw

8 December 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to Chris Robshaw about the Champions Cup – and why he rates England’s chances in the Six Nations Chris Robshaw felt lost […]

Time for Bristol Bears to step up to the plate

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscott – Outspoken and unmissable every week… English clubs like Saracens, Leicester, Bath, Northampton and, to a lesser extent, Harlequins have got pedigree […]

Clermont have far too much class for Benetton

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Clermont………..28 Benetton…………. 0 Clermont out-muscled Benetton to cruise to a commanding bonus point victory with Peceli Yato and Barnabe Massa both grabbing […]

Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell get back in the old routine

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Northampton Saints…… 38pt Tries: Dingwall 3, Mayanavanua 8, Augustus 43 62; Langdon 49, Pollock 74 Conversions: Smith 4, 9, 50, 75 Castres……………………………. […]

Henry Pollock wins Phil Dowson’s backing

8 December 2024 0 comments

Northampton boss Phil Dowson has tipped Henry Pollock to thrive in Pretoria against the Bulls in next week’s Champions Cup clash. The 19-year-old was the […]

Saracens bounce back in fine style

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Brendan Gallagher Saracens……………………… 27pts Tries: Carre 22, George 48, Willis 56, Earl 64 Conversions: Burke 49, 57 Penalty: Burke 35 Bulls………………………………… 5pts Try: de […]

Tom Willis: We knew it would be tough

8 December 2024 0 comments

Star man Tom Willis was proud his side fronted up in the first half and showed intelligence to execute in such dire conditions. “We knew […]

Stormers have no answer to Toulon chargers

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Stormers……….. 14 Toulon………….. 24 Match Action Toulon beat the Stormers in front of a bumper crowd at Nelson Mandela Stadium. The visitors […]

Ulster facing Antoine Dupont threat

8 December 2024 0 comments

Match Preview By Ben Jaycock Toulouse v Ulster Today – 3.15pm Ulster are gearing up for the daunting visit to reigning champions and Top 14 […]

Exeter Chiefs fail to cash in on Sharks’ mistakes

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens Sharks …………………………. 39pts Tries: Buthelezi 21, Mapimpi 24, Williams 27, Kolisi 36, 56 Conversions: Hendrikse 22, 28, 37, 57 Penalties: Hendrikse 46, […]

We didn’t convert, admits Jacques Vermeulen

8 December 2024 0 comments

Exeter Chiefs captain Jacques Vermeulen felt his side left points out on the field playing back on his old stomping ground in Durban. “I think […]

Harlequins leave it too late in Paris

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Gary Fitzgerald Racing 92 ……………….. 23pts Tries: le Garrec 15, Naituvi 39, Spring 61 Conversion: le Garrec 16 Penalties: le Garrec 59, 66 Harlequins […]

Bath fail to make most of chances

8 December 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Bath ……………………………………………………….. 20pts Tries: Dunn 47, Roux 56 Conversions: Russell 47, 56 Penalties: Russell 4, 30 La Rochelle …………………………………………… 24pts Tries: Jegou […]

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