Munster set for three tough Champions Cup weekends

Munster face three consecutive weekends of European action in January as the bid to secure qualification to the knock-out stages from Pool Four of the Champions Cup.

Tournament organisers yesterday announced that five games postponed earlier this month following the Paris terror attacks will take place after Christmas.

Munster’s clash against Stade Francais at Stade Jean Bouin is among the fixtures rescheduled though the date and timing of the game has yet to be confirmed.

European Professional Club Rugby said that the matches, which also includes Ulster’s trip to Oyonnax have been rescheduled for the weekend of January 8, 9 and 10.

The other rearranged games are Toulon versus Bath, Racing 92 versus Glasgow, Bordeaux-Begles versus Clermont Auvergne, in addition to an all-French European Challenge Cup match between Pau and Castres.

The announcement means Bath’s Aviva Premiership home fixture against Sale Sharks, due to take place on January 8, will now be played later in the season. Scheduled January 8-10 fixtures in the French Top 14 will be rearranged later in the season, in addition to three Guinness PRO12 games — Ulster versus Newport Gwent Dragons, Zebre against Glasgow and Cardiff Blues versus Munster.

In a statement, EPCR said: “Following the completion of discussions between EPCR, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, Premiership Rugby and PRO12 Rugby to reschedule the six European club matches postponed due to the Paris attacks, it has been agreed by all parties that the games will be played on the weekend of 8/9/10 January 2016 in advance of round five of the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

“EPCR would like to thank the three leagues and all the clubs involved for their collaboration and understanding during the rescheduling process.”

MUNSTER’S SCHEDULE:

Tonight: Pro 12, v Connacht, Thomond Park, December: 6th: Pro 12, v Newport Gwent Dragons, Rodney Parade; 12th: European Cup, Leicester Tigers, Thomond Park; 19th: European Cup, Leicester Tigers, Welford Road; 27th: Guinness Pro 12, Leinster, Thomond Park. January: 2nd: Pro 12: Ulster, Kingspan Park; 8th-10th (TBC): European Cup: v Stade Francais, Stade Jean Bouin; 15th-17th: European Cup: v Stade Francais, Thomond Park; 22nd-24th: European Cup, Treviso, Stadio Monigo.

Champions Cup R1 (re-fixtures, 8th-10th (TBC):

Oyonnax v Ulster Rugby, Racing 92 v Glasgow Warriors, Bordeaux-Bègles v ASM Clermont Auvergne, RC Toulon v Bath Rugby. Challenge Cup R1 (re-fixture, 8th-10th (TBC) ):

Pau v Castres Olympique