#Champions Cup

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#Champions Cup

News about rugby's European Cup competition

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>MIRACLE MEN: Munster's John Kelly celebrates scoring his side's fourth try in the last minute of the 2003 Heineken European Cup pool win over Gloucester. The game is commonly referred to as the 'Miracle Match'. Pic: Des Barry, Irish Examiner </p>

rugby

Thirty years of Champions Cup has given us the beastly, beautiful and bizarre

Bloodgate, the ‘Hand of Back’ and a drop goal off ‘someone’s arse’ are among the tournament’s delightful eccentricities - and Munster’s contribution to European history is also impossible to overlook

<p>A view of the Investec Champions Cup trophy and match ball. File picture: Billy Stickland/Inpho</p>

rugby

Champions Cup draw: O'Gara and Leinster to renew acquaintances, Munster to face van Graan's Bath

<p>Every call which TMO Marius Jonker made to referee Nika Amashukeli during the Champions Cup final was on the money. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.</p>

S columnists

Duncan Casey: If the TMO must intervene, Champions Cup final was a model of efficiency

Leinster Rugby Squad Training

rugby

Jamie Osborne: If I want to be in the Leinster team I need to be just as good as Jordie Barrett

Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber 5/5/2025

rugby

Leinster's Jacques Nienaber: There is no magic formula to get the team to win

SPeter Jackson: Leinster fans must wonder if their team are under a curse

Jordie Barrett and Stafford McDowall 11/4/2025

Jordie Barrett's big moments injecting energy and belief into Leinster

The stats, impressive as they were, don’t even do him justice. His running lines and power meshed with a delicious offload game. He chipped in with at least three turnovers. He made one breathtaking chase back and clearance. He even collected a lineout.

Mon, 14 Apr, 2025

Josh Wycherley tackles Pablo Uberti 12/4/2025

Munster fight to the death but rampant Bordeaux sparkle on way to semi-final spot

A return trip to France seven days after La Rochelle heroics saw Munster run out of road

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Your sport on TV this week: Munster v Bordeaux Bègles, The Masters and Super League finals

Your sport on TV this week: Munster v Bordeaux Bègles, The Masters and Super League finals

It is another action packed weekend of sport on TV with the Champions Cup quarter-finals, The Masters at Augusta and the basketball Super League finals - all you need to know here.

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Leinster Rugby Squad Training

Jordie Barrett happy to be outside his comfort zone at Leinster

Barrett will be expected to add something extra to a Leinster side that has fallen inches short of silverware the last three years.

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Leinster Rugby Squad Training

Snyman comfortable with fitting in and standing out at Leinster

Snyman will bring all these rugby and life lessons to bear again this Friday when Leinster face Glasgow in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup at the Aviva Stadium, and he has no hesitation in sharing those experiences with his current teammates.

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

La Rochelle v Munster - Investec Champions Cup Round of 16

Bordeaux Bègles v Munster: What time, what channel and all you need to know about the Champions Cup quarter-final

Munster have a short turnaround after their epic win over La Rochelle to prepare to return to France to face Bordeaux Bègles.

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

Jack Crowley and Craig Casey celebrate winning the match 5/4/2025

S Peter Jackson: Munster win over Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle the game that saved the Round of 16 weekend

On a day when Andy Farrell saw one English fly half suffer from his exposure to Leinster, another whom he knows rather better kicked his first goals since early September.

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Bordeaux Begles v Ulster - Investec Champions Cup Round of 16

Richie Murphy: 'You’ve always got a chance, it’s a very difficult place to come. The atmosphere will be incredible, we wish them all the best'

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy outlined just how difficult their task will be after he watched his charges ship three early tries, the first a beauty from Damien Penaud, to trail 21-0 after 21 minutes.

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Jack Crowley scores a drop goal 5/4/2025

As it happened: Munster stun Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle in the Champions Cup

Munster face the Ronan O'Gara-coached La Rochelle in the last-16 of the Champions Cup. The game kicks off at 5:30pm.

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Leinster v Harlequins - Investec Champions Cup - Croke Park

'Phenomenal' Leinster are the 'envy' of other clubs, says Harlequins coach Danny Wilson

Wilson was speaking in the hour after his Quins team was beaten 62-0 by the province in the Champions Cup round of 16

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Luke McGrath, Caelan Doris and Ryan Baird after the game 5/4/2025

Leinster sought to 'bring intensity to everything' in Harlequins thrashing

The four-time tournament winners cruised into this season's quarter-finals, with a home tie awaiting them on Friday

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Melvyn Jaminet scores a try 5/4/2025

Toulon stun Saracens with fightback in remarkable 16 try clash

Saracens boss Mark McCall rested his entire England contingent after choosing to prioritise the Gallagher Premiership.

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Tipperary v Cork - Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 4

Sportsguide: Cork take on Tipp, Munster travel to Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle

Another action packed weekend of sport this weekend from the Allianz NHL finals to the return of the Champions Cup - all you need to know here.

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Your sport on TV this week: Cork v Tipperary, Grand National and start of the Championship

Your sport on TV this week: Cork v Tipperary, Grand National and start of the Championship

It is another action packed weekend of sport on TV with Cork facing Tipp for the first time since 1960 in the NHL final, the big race of the weekend is the Grand National while the football championship kicks off on the new platform GAA+ - all you need to know here.

Thu, 03 Apr, 2025

Paul Boudehent 12/1/2025

S La Rochelle prepare to face Munster in a crisis of their own making

La Rochelle are amid their worst run in 15 years. They had little choice but to put all their chips on this weekend's Champions Cup clash with Munster.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

Bath Rugby v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership Rugby

Harlequins boss rules out ever using B-team for Champions Cup ahead of Croke Park showdown

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson said playing a second string side in the Champions Cup would be "disrespecting what the competition is".

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Munster v Toulouse - European Rugby Champions Cup Quarter-Final

Ian Flanagan: 'I think everyone in Ireland who likes their rugby would go back to the old ERC format'

“We didn't sell out either of the two European games, we sold out the Leinster (URC) game but that would be an area of the budget where we would probably be off and we’ll have to make that money up somewhere else during the season.”

Fri, 24 Jan, 2025

Northampton Saints v Munster - Investec Champions Cup Pool 3

S Ronan O'Gara: Munster in La Rochelle will be magic. But it will have to wait

The intrepid have nothing on the Munster supporter who needs to find a way across land and sea to get to a European Cup game.

Thu, 23 Jan, 2025

Liverpool v Lille - UEFA Champions League - League Stage - Anfield

Arne Slot delighted to ‘skip a round’ as Liverpool seal Champions League top-two spot

The Reds will still need a point to guarantee first place in the league phase of the Champions League after Barcelona’s dramatic win.

Wed, 22 Jan, 2025

Diarmuid Kilgallen on his way to scoring a try 18/1/2025

Even in defeat to Northampton, Mossy Lawler sees 'massive positives' for Munster

Lawler said Munster look back on the Champions Cup loss to Northampton as a "missed opportunity".

Tue, 21 Jan, 2025

RG Snyman celebrates after the game 18/1/2025

Robbie Henshaw: 'You just have to let him do his thing and then work off him'

"You can’t defend him in ones, even twos, you have to send three men into him."

Mon, 20 Jan, 2025

Rory Scannell and Tom Ahern after the game 18/1/2025

Munster will take on Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle in Champions Cup Round of 16

Leinster will take on Harlequins with Ulster facing a tough task when they take on top seeded side Bordeaux Bègles.

Sun, 19 Jan, 2025

Your sport on TV this week: All-Ireland Club Senior finals, Champions and Challenge Cup

Your sport on TV this week: All-Ireland Club Senior finals, Champions and Challenge Cup

It's another action packed weekend of sport with the All-Ireland senior club football and hurling finals, the final round of the Champions and Challenge Cup and the Australian Open - all you need to know about sport on TV this weekend.

Fri, 17 Jan, 2025

Munster’s John Hodnett scores a try and celebrates with Gavin Coombes and Tom Farrell 11/1/2023

S Duncan Casey: Munster restore some faith with win that could define the season

If Stephen Archer wants to play on with Munster for another year, there should be a contract there for the 36-year-old. He is as valuable to this team as he has ever been.

Tue, 14 Jan, 2025

Stade Rochelais v Leinster - Investec Champions Cup Pool 2

S Donal Lenihan: Ailing Champions Cup well served if gallant La Rochelle and Leinster meet again

Miraculously, both Leinster and Munster found a way to prevail this weekend

Mon, 13 Jan, 2025

Josh van der Flier with Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Jules Favre 12/1/2025

Leinster lean on defence again to 'win ugly' in La Rochelle

This win makes it three in succession for the Irish province against a club that had their number in the 2021 semi-final and in the two deciders that followed.

Mon, 13 Jan, 2025

Dian Bleuler scores a try 11/1/2025

Munster resigned to departure of Dian Bleuler

Peter O'Mahony could return for Munster's clash with Northampton.

Mon, 13 Jan, 2025

Ronan O'Gara ahead of the match 12/1/2025

Ronan O'Gara hoping for another crack at Leinster before the season is out

This 16-14 loss all but guarantees a path away from home come the quarter and semi-final stages of this latest tournament

Sun, 12 Jan, 2025

Tommy Reffell and Iain Henderson 11/1/2025

Ulster sift through Welford woe for positives

There was enough in that first half against the Tigers to suggest the Richie Murphy project can continue to build into something. What that turns out to be remains to be seen

Sun, 12 Jan, 2025

Leinster v La Rochelle - Investec Champions Cup Quarter-Final

S Ronan O'Gara: Time for a hug? Tough love doesn’t work on everybody

Ronan O'Gara opens up about the challenges of coaching La Rochelle, balancing tough love with rebuilding confidence as his team struggles through a tough patch

Sun, 12 Jan, 2025

Your sport on TV this week: Champions and Challenge Cup, Club championship and Team Cup

Your sport on TV this week: Champions and Challenge Cup, Club championship and Team Cup

It's another action packed weekend of sport of TV with the Champions and Challenge Cup back with all four provinces in action. All-Ireland club finals are taking place in Croke Park and the Team Cup - all you need to know here.

Thu, 09 Jan, 2025

John Hodnett scores his second try of the game as Tadhg Beirne celebrates 13/12/2024

S Donal Lenihan: It's the Champions Cup but not as we knew and loved it

If South African teams opt out of the Champions Cup, a swift return to a 20-team format with home-and-away pool games and direct quarter-final progression would be ideal

Wed, 08 Jan, 2025

RG Snyman, Jack Conan and Joe McCarthy 7/1/2025

Leinster in a good place for Champions Cup trip to France

The plan for Tadhg Furlong, who hasn't played since mid-October, is that he will be ready for the Six Nations.

Wed, 08 Jan, 2025

Vodacom Bulls v Northampton Saints - Investec Champions Cup 2024/2025

Champions Cup rugby reboot: no pools, FA Cup-style and play it after Christmas

The global calendar remains a mess and rugby’s power-brokers need to get a grip after a controversial weekend

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Sam Prendergast 14/12/2024

Leo Cullen: 'Some lads didn't go as well as we'd have hoped. Is that the way that we're preparing them?'

Leo Cullen took stock afterwards and, in admitting his frustrations at the day’s work, put it out there that his side was not operating at the level Toulouse had displayed a week earlier when putting 61 points on a flawed Ulster.

Mon, 16 Dec, 2024

RUGBYU-EUR-CUP-LA ROCHELLE-BRISTOL

Five-try La Rochelle blitz Bristol as O'Gara's side edge above Leinster atop Pool 2

Bidding to regain the trophy they won back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, La Rochelle made it two pool stage wins from two with an emphatic victory over their English visitors

Sat, 14 Dec, 2024

Leinster v ASM Clermont Auvergne - Champions Cup Pool 2

Barrett shows class but Clermont and lineout give Leinster plenty of problems in nervy win

Standing out more than any in blue was a malfunctioning set-piece that did untold damage to best-laid plans. Leinster had 16 throws on the evening and could only claim 60% of them. Not nearly good enough.

Sat, 14 Dec, 2024

Yoram Moefana and Maxime Lucu celebrate Guido Pett’s try 14/12/2024

Bordeaux too strong for Ulster as they come from behind to secure bonus point win

Ulster fall to fourth straight defeat and sit bottom of Pool One.

Sat, 14 Dec, 2024

Bristol Bears v Leinster - Champions Cup Round 1

Jordie Barrett set to make first Leinster start against Clermont

Ulster and Connacht have made a host of changes for their respective clashes with Bordeaux and Perpignan.

Fri, 13 Dec, 2024

Your sport on TV this week: All Ireland SHC semi-finals, All-Ireland Ladies finals and European Rugby

Your sport on TV this week: All Ireland SHC semi-finals, All-Ireland Ladies finals and European Rugby

It is another action packed weekend of sport on TV with the All-Ireland Club SHC semi-finals, the All-Ireland Ladies Club football finals and all four Irish provinces in action in European Rugby against French opposition - all you need to know here.

Fri, 13 Dec, 2024

Munster v Stade Francais Paris - Champions Cup Round 1

S Tommy Martin: Why TMS (that’s Too Much Sport) viewing numbers are tumbling

Too Much Rugby is a smaller scale version of Too Much Football, which reaches new levels of bloated madness with next year’s FIFA Club World Cup

Thu, 12 Dec, 2024

Leinster Rugby Squad Training

S Donal Lenihan: Toulouse and Leinster look down from a lofty plateau

Munster are crying out for the stability a long-term director of rugby would bring and allow the new head coach to concentrate solely on the preparation and selection of the side.

Wed, 11 Dec, 2024

Bristol Bears v Leinster - Champions Cup Round 1

Jordie Barrett gives credit to Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose

All Black Barrett headed up a lethal second half Leinster bench onslaught that helped turn the game’s tide in the favour of the four-time European winners.

Tue, 10 Dec, 2024

Northampton Saints v Castres Olympique - Investec Champions Cup 2024/2025

Jeremy Davidson and Castres out to kick-start season with win over old Munster enemy

Davidson’s future at Castres had been subject to some speculation. The club confirmed last month that his contract will not be renewed at the end of the current campaign.

Tue, 10 Dec, 2024