The 2022-23 Heineken Champions Cup will be competed for by 24 elite clubs. There will be eight representatives from the United Rugby Championship (URC) – including historic first appearances by the Stormers, Bulls and Sharks. The Gallagher Premiership in England will have eight clubs participating as will France’s TOP 14.

Clubs will be divided into two pools of 12 – Pool A and Pool B – and the tournament will be played over eight weekends with four rounds of matches in the pool stage.

The eight highest-ranked clubs from each pool will qualify for the knockout stage. This will consist of a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final at the Aviva Stadium on 20 May 2023.

The draw for the Heineken Champions Cup pools on June 28 will be carried out on the same lines as last season with the clubs separated into four tiers based on their rankings. Clubs from the same league in the same tier will not be drawn into the same pool.

Champions Cup Draw

The number 1 and number 2 ranked clubs from each league will be in Tier 1, the number 3 and number 4 ranked clubs will be in Tier 2, the number 5 and 6 ranked clubs will be in Tier 3, and the number 7 and number 8 ranked clubs will be Tier 4.

The Tier 1 and the Tier 4 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league, will play one another home and away during the pool stage, as will the Tier 2 and Tier 3 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league.

Challenge Cup

Twenty clubs will play in next season’s EPCR Challenge Cup with eight representatives from the United Rugby Championship, including the Johannesburg-based Lions who will also be making a historic first appearance in an EPCR competition, six from the TOP 14, five from the Premiership, as well as the Cheetahs from Bloemfontein who have accepted an invitation to compete.

The clubs will be divided into two pools of 10 – Pool A and Pool B – and in a similar format to the Heineken Champions Cup, the tournament will be played over eight weekends with four rounds of matches in the pool stage.

The six highest-ranked clubs from each pool, as well as the 9th and 10th ranked clubs from each of the Heineken Champions Cup pools, will qualify for a Round of 16, which will be followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final at the Aviva Stadium on 19 May 2023.

The live-streamed draw for the EPCR Challenge Cup pools is also scheduled to take place at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 28 June with the clubs separated into three tiers based on their rankings, and clubs from the same league will not play against one another during the pool stage.

Challenge Cup Draw

The number 1 and number 2 ranked clubs from each league will be in Tier 1, and the number 3 and number 4 ranked clubs from each league, as well as the number 5 and number 6 ranked clubs from the URC, will be in Tier 2. The Dragons, Zebre Parma, Aviron Bayonnais, USAP, Bath Rugby and the Cheetahs will be in Tier 3.

The Tier 1 and the Tier 3 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league, will play one another home and away over four pool stage rounds.

The Tier 2 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not from the same league, will play one another home and away during the pool stage. In order to adhere to the key principle of no same-league matches, Tier 2 clubs from the TOP 14 can only play against opposition from the URC, and similarly, Tier 2 clubs from the Premiership can also only play against opposition from the URC.

Further details and timings regarding the draws for both the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup pools will be communicated shortly.

2022/23 HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

TOP 14: Castres Olympique, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Toulousain, 5 Stade Rochelais, 6 Racing 92, 7 ASM Clermont Auvergne, 8 Lyon
Gallagher Premiership: Leicester Tigers, Saracens, 3 Harlequins, 4 Northampton Saints, 5 Gloucester Rugby, 6 Sale Sharks, 7 Exeter Chiefs, 8 London Irish
United Rugby Championship: Stormers, Bulls, 3 Leinster Rugby, 4 Ulster Rugby, 5 Sharks, 6 Munster Rugby, 7 Edinburgh Rugby, 8 Ospreys.

2022/23 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP QUALIFIERS

United Rugby Championship: 1 Glasgow Warriors, 2 Scarlets, 3 Connacht Rugby, 4 Lions, 5 Benetton Rugby, 6 Cardiff Rugby, 7 Dragons, 8 Zebre Parma
TOP 14: 1 RC Toulon, 2 Section Paloise, 3 Stade Français Paris, 4 CA Brive, 5 Aviron Bayonnais, 6 USAP
Gallagher Premiership: 1 Wasps, 2 Bristol Bears, 3 Worcester Warriors, 4 Newcastle Falcons, 5 Bath Rugby
Invited: Cheetahs

2022/23 key dates
Round 1 – 9/10/11 December 2022
Round 2 – 16/17/18 December 2022
Round 3 – 13/14/15 January 2023
Round 4 – 20/21/22 January 2023
Round of 16 – 31 March/ 1/2 April 2023
Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April 2023
Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April 2023
EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 19 May 2023; Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 20 May 2023; Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

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With Ulster, Leinster and Munster all having home advantage in the second leg, they will travel away on the weekend of 8, 9, 10 April.

Ulster visit Toulouse, Leinster have the short journey to Connacht, while Munster travel to Exeter Chiefs.

In all-French clashes Stade Francais will host Racing 92 while Union Bordeaux-Begles will entertain Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle.

Sale Sharks are at home to Bristol Bears in an all-English match, while French sides Montpellier and Clermont Auverge will host English teams Harlequins and Leicester Tigers respectively.

The second leg games will be played on the weekend of 15, 16, 17 April.

Exact dates and kick-off times will be confirmed in the coming days.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
Round of 16 first leg – 8/9/10 April
Stade Francais v Racing 92
Toulouse v Ulster
Union Bordeaux-Begles v La Rochelle
Connacht v Leinster
Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears
Exeter Chiefs v Munster
Montpellier v Harlequins
Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers

Round of 16 second leg – 15/16/17 April
Racing 92 v Stade Francais
Ulster v Toulouse
La Rochelle v Union Bordeaux-Begles
Leinster v Connacht
Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks
Munster v Exeter Chiefs
Harlequins v Montpellier
Leicester Tigers v Clermont Auvergne

The post Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 Fixtures appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Munster, who like the other Irish provinces had already qualified for the business end of  the competition prior to today’s game, produced a dominant performance against the English Premiership Rugby side.

Murray opens the scoring

Conor Murray opened the scoring in usual circumstances. With Munster dominant in possession in the opening stages of the game, Wasps knocked the ball back to Murray when attempting to prevent Tadhg Beirne receiving possession. With many of the visitors believing Beirne had knocked the ball on, some stopped playing as Murray touched down.

The TMO was called into action, with the referee deciding, Beirne hadn’t knocked on when he consulted his officials and viewed the TV footage. Ben Healy added the extras to give the hosts a 7-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the fixture.

With constant pressure from Munster, Wasps could not withstand the Munster effort and soon conceded a penalty. Healy opted to kick for the posts to extend his team’s advantage to 10-0.

Zebo now Munster’s highest try-scorer in Champions Cup

A deftly chipped through ball from Healy saw Simon Zebo, who was named in the starting team in place of Keith Earls, collect the ball and fight to touch down for his side’s second five-pointer of the afternoon, the first of two on the day for the former Racing 92 man.

The score saw the Corkman join Brian O’Driscoll as the third-highest try-scorer in Heineken Champions Cup history, and surpass the late Anthony Foley as Munster’s top try-scorer in the competition with 24 – it would become 25 later in the day. Ben Healy maintained his 100% record kicking for the posts by converting for 17-0 with less than 20 minutes on the clock.

ZEBO! ZEBO! ZEBO!

Simon Zebo becomes @Munsterrugby‘s top European try scorer, surpassing the late great Axel Foley

Look at what it means! #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/Ce5cw9soLe

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 23, 2022

Dan Robson finally got the Premiership club on the scoreboard when touching down right of the Munster posts in the 26th minute. With Charlie Atkinson adding the conversion, Wasps’ delight was short-lived as Munster immediately headed downfield.

O’Donoghue try on 150th appearance in red

With Wasps scrambling to get back into position, Gavin Coombes burst through the Premiership Rugby side’s defensive effort, before Jack O’Donoghue, on his 150th appearance in red, scored his side’s third try of the afternoon. The reliable Healy kicked the two points for a 24-7 lead with only 30 minutes played.

Gavin Coombes what a carry!

Charlie Atkinson bounces off Coombs who blasts his way past the Wasps defence, setting it nicely for Jack O’Donoghue to finish for @Munsterrugby #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/olJv9DF3J0

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 23, 2022

Gavin Coombes paid the price for constant Munster infringements when yellow-carded minutes before half-time. With Wasps nestled on the Munster line, the home side were penalised a number of times before Coombes was sent to the bin.

With Johann van Graan’s men missing the powerful Coombes, Wasps would have expected to cross the line, but incredible defensive work from the men in red saw them hold out with the referee eventually awarding them a penalty, which relieved the pressure.

A neck injury for Wasps’ Thomas Young saw the player treated on the field with the game stopped for 10 minutes, before being stretchered off to respectful applause from the crowd. The back-row was replaced by Ben Morris.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 24  Wasps Rugby 7

Loughman secures bonus-point try

Prop Jeremy Loughman, named in the starting team earlier in the day when Dave Kilcoyne was sick, scored his first Champions Cup try within the opening minute of the second half.

Munster, who had a penalty kick, opted for the line-out and despite the absence of Coombes, who was still in the sin-bin, the men in red powerfully drove for the try-scoring line, before Loughman crashed over.

With the bonus-point try now secured, Ben Healy added another two points to the score board, which read 31-7 in favour of Munster, with 46 minutes on the stadium game clock.

As both sides emptied their benches, an action that took the continuity and flow out of the game, it didn’t prevent Munster striking for two further tries late in the game.

Simon Zebo scored a second try to the cheers of the Munster faithful, before Rory Scannell claimed a five-pointer with the clock in red. Both scores were converted by Jack Crowley, leaving Johann van Graan’s side 45-7 victors.

Today’s game gave more valuable Champions Cup experience to some of Munster’s younger players, while veteran of 150 appearances in red, Jack O’Donoghue was named Heineken Star of the Match. The Waterford man, at 27 years of age, becomes the youngest Munster player to reach the 150 milestone.

Final score: Munster Rugby 45  Wasps Rugby 7

Munster Rugby:

15. Mike Haley, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Simon Zebo, 10. Ben Healy, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. Jack O’Donoghue, 8. Gavin Coombes.

Munster Replacements:

16. Scott Buckley, 17. John Wycherley, 18. John Ryan, 19. Fineen Wycherley, 20. John Hodnett, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Alex Kendellen.

Try: Murray, Zebo (2), O’Donoghue, Loughman, R Scannell

Conversion: Healy 4, Crowley (2)

Pen: Healy

Wasps:

15. Ali Crossdale, 14. Marcus Watson. 13. Paolo Odogwu, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Josh Bassett, 10. Charlie Atkinson, 9. Dan Robson.

1. Tom West, 2. Tom Cruse, 3. Elliot Millar-Mills, 4. Elliott Stooke, 5. James Gaskell, 6. Brad Shields (captain), 7. Thomas Young, 8. Nizaam Carr.

Wasps Replacements:

16. Gabriel Oghre, 17, Rodrigo Martinez, 18. Pieter Scholtz, 19. Tim Cardall, 20. Ben Morris, 21. Will Porter, 22. Rob Miller, 23. Sam Spink.

Try: Robson.

Conversion: Atkinson.

The post Two tries for Zebo as Munster Rugby claim 45-7 Champions Cup win over Wasps appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

This round 2 game was frustrating for the home side as Johann Van Graan’s side only scored one try on a cold night at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Munster, who beat Wasps 35-14 on the road last weekend at Coventry Building Society Arena, would have expected an easier success against what many viewed as a Castres second-string side.

Healy opened the scoring

Castres were penalised for not rolling away in the sixth minute giving Ben Healy the ideal opportunity to open the scoring. The Munster number 10 successfully kicked the penalty for an early Munster lead. In the 28th minute, Healy doubled the advantage when scoring his second penalty of the night.

Damian De Allende thought he had scored the hosts’ opening try of the game shortly after the half hour mark when the former Springbok crossed the line, with his side having a penalty advantage.

The officiating team, who spent a long period of time in discussion before finally coming to a decision, said the South African had failed to successfully touch down.

With less than a minute remaining in the opening half, Urdapilleta got his side on the score board when kicking a straightforward penalty from just outside the 22m line.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 9 Castres Olympique 3

Second half

It took the home side until the cusp of the hour mark before they finally scored a try. Jack O’Donoghue achieved his first European Cup try, and his 28th Munster career try, when the Waterford man touched down in in front of the East Stand.

The initial on-field decision was no try, but following consultation between the officials, English referee Matthew Carley awarded the five-pointer. Ben Healy added the extras with an excellent kick from the touchline to push his side into a 16-3 lead.

Urdapilleta doubled Castres’ score when successfully kicking his second penalty of the night from just outside the 22m line.

Munster headed into the final 15 minutes of the game with a 16-6 advantage as Johann Van Graan began to empty his bench. Healy kicked another penalty with 10 minutes remaining on the clock as he extended Munster’s lead to 19-6.

It was the visitors who had the final say in the game, however, as Kevin Kornath crossed for the French side’s try, before Urdapilleta converted, leaving Munster six point victors.

Final score: Munster Rugby 19  Castres Olympique 13

Munster Rugby:

15. Patrick Campbell, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Keith Earls, 10. Ben Healy, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. John Ryan, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. John Hodnett, 8. Jack O’Donoghue.

Munster Replacements:

16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. Josh Wycherley, 18. Keynan Knox, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Jack O’Sullivan, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Alex Kendellen.

Castres Olympique:

15. Larregain, 14. Guillemin, 13. Combezou, 12. Aguillon, 11. Nakosi, 10. Urdapilleta, 9. Arata.

1. De Benedittis,2. Ngauamo, 3. Hounkpatin, 4. Jacquet, 5. Hannoyer, 6. de Crespigny, 7. Meka, 8. Kornath.

Castres Olympique Replacements:

16. Humbert, 17. Nostadt, 18. Guillamon, 19. Whetton, 20.Li Williams, 21. Kockott, 22. Le Brun, 23. Zeghdar.

The post Munster Rugby 19 Castres Olympique 13 appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Connacht are a squad in the middle of a rebuilding process. After a mixed season last year, the team has lost some of their more experienced players to retirement and foreign clubs.

Andy Friend’s team finished second behind Munster in the Pro 14 Conference B table last year but they only managed to win half of their 16 group matches.

Their last competitive match was a strong 26-19 victory at home over Ospreys in the Rainbow Cup.

Connacht have been known to cause major upsets in recent years but Jarrad Butler captaining the team will this season be one of them.

Latest transfer news

Players In

Leva Fifita – Lock, 31y/o, France

Shayne Bolton – Centre, 21y/o, South Africa

Mack Hansen – Fullback, 23y/o, Australia

Greg McGrath – Prop, 24y/o, Ireland

Sam Illo – Prop, 20y/o, Ireland

Players Out

Conor Kenny – Prop, 24y/o, Ireland – to Newcastle

Paddy McAllister – Hooker, 31y/0, Ireland – Retirement

Quinn Roux – Lock, 30y/o, South Africa – to Toulon

Sean O’Brien – Back row, 26y/o, Ireland – Retirement

Cillian Gallagher – Back row, 23y/o, Ireland – Retirement

Stephen Kerins – Scrum half, 25y/o, Ireland – Loaned to Bristol

Conor Dean – Fly half, 23y/o, Ireland

Sean O’Brien – Centre, 23y/o, Ireland – to Exeter

Stephen Fitzgerald – Fullback, 25y/o, Ireland – Retirement

Colm De Buitlear – Centre, 23y/o, Ireland

CLICK FOR FULL CONNACHT SQUAD

Betting

Connacht are the lowest rated side in the Champions Cup with odds of 250/1 of winning it this year.

Predicted finishing position

Connacht’s second place finish in the Pro 14 last year is a sign of good things for the province.

It is very unlikely that we will see them in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup this year but expect a top three finish in their Pro 14 Conference group.

@bundeeaki12 shouting instructions to the Connacht team pic.twitter.com/AP6LtkiRMZ

— Joe Naughton (@JosephNaughton4) October 3, 2020

Fixtures

R1 – Friday, September 24

Cardiff v Connacht | 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA & SA | BBC Wales, TG4, Premier Sports

R2 – Friday, October 1

Connacht v Vodacom Bulls | 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA & SA | TG4, Super Sport, Premier Sports

Saturday, October 9

Connacht v Dragons | 17:15 UK / 18:15 ITA & SA | TG4, S4C, Premier Sports

Saturday, October 16

Munster v Connacht | 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA & SA | RTÉ, Premier Sports

Saturday, October 23

Connacht v Ulster | 17:15 UK / 18:15 ITA & SA | TG4, Premier Sports

R6 – Friday, November 26

Connacht v Ospreys | 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA/ 21:35 SA | RTE, BBC Wales, Premier Sports

R7 – Friday, December 3

Leinster v Connacht | 19:45 UK / 20:45 ITA / 21:45 SA | TG4, Premier Sports

Sunday, December 26

Ulster v Connacht | 17:15 UK / 18:15 ITA / 19:15 SA | BBC NI, TG4, Premier Sports

R9 – Saturday, January 1

Connacht v Munster | 17:15 UK / 18:15 ITA / 19:15 SA | TG4, Premier Sports

R10 Saturday, January 8

Connacht v DHL Stormers | 17:00 UK / 18:00 ITA /19:00 SA | RTE, Super Sport, Premier Sports

R11 – Weekend of Jan 28/29/30

Connacht v Glasgow Warriors

R12 – Weekend of Feb 18/19/20

Scarlets v Connacht

R13 – Weekend of Mar 4/5/6

Edinburgh v Connacht

R14 – Weekend of March 25/26/27

Connacht v Leinster

R15 – Weekend of April 1/2/3

Benetton v Connacht

R16 – Weekend of April 22/23/24

Emirates Lions v Connacht

R17 – Weekend of April 29/30 and May 1

Cell C Sharks v Connacht

R18 – Weekend of May 20/21/22

Connacht v Zebre

The post Connacht Rugby United Rugby Championship & Champions Cup – Season Preview, Squad & Fixtures appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Below is everything you need to know ahead of Ulster rugby’s upcoming 2021/22 season at home and in Europe

Ulster were one of the unluckiest teams in Europe last year. Dan McFarland finished second to Leinster in their Pro14 Conference group only from bonus points, managing 16 wins.

The same spark couldn’t be found in the Champions Cup, losing their two matches in the shortened year to finish outside the qualification places.

The club has been very unproductive in the market this summer so captain Iain Henderson will be seeing a lot of the same faces in training this year.

Latest transfer news

Players In

None

Players Out

Kyle McCall – Prop, 29y/o, Ireland

Adam McBurney – Hooker, 24y/o, Ireland

Alby Matthewson – Scrumhalf, 35y/o, Australia

Matt Faddes – Centre, 29y/o, Australia – to Otago

Louis Ludik – Fullback, 34y/o, South Africa – Retirement

Callum Reid – Prop, 22y/o, Ireland – Loan to Munster

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ULSTER SQUAD

'𝙈𝙀𝙀𝙏 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝘽𝙔'

New Zealand-born, Craig Newby has recently joined Ulster Rugby as the new Skills Coach

Head over to URTV to find out all about 'the Newby' https://t.co/BR0BjTPs7P pic.twitter.com/8qUyGox2Je

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) July 31, 2021

Betting

Ulster have odds of 40/1 to win the Champions Cup this year.

Predicted finishing position

The lack of change in the squad could be their downfall this year as the same side was unable to success domestically or in Europe last year.

They will be happy to sneak into a semi-final in the Pro14 this year. For the Champions Cup, it will be a major success if they finish top eight and make it into the knockout rounds but that is unlikely.

Fixtures

Rugby Championship / Pro16 will be announced in mid-August and the Champions Cup will be announced the following week.

The post Ulster Rugby Championship & Champions Cup – Season Preview, Squad & Fixtures appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Heineken Cup Draw has been revealed, after the pool draw took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday at 12:00 UK and Irish time. 

With 24 of Europe’s best sides learning of their opponents for the upcoming 2021/22 competition.

Following the conclusion of the draw, the EPCR have announced exact dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage.

The post Heineken Cup Draw: Ulster Fixtures, Dates, Kick-off Times and Pool Opposition appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Heineken Cup Draw has been revealed, after the pool draw took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday at 12:00 UK and Irish time. 

With 24 of Europe’s best sides learning of their opponents for the upcoming 2021/22 competition.

Following the conclusion of the draw, the EPCR have announced exact dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage.

The post Heineken Cup Draw: Connacht Fixtures, Dates, Kick-off Times and Pool Opposition appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Heineken Cup Draw has been revealed, after the pool draw took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday at 12:00 UK and Irish time. 

With 24 of Europe’s best sides learning of their opponents for the upcoming 2021/22 competition.

Following the conclusion of the draw, the EPCR have announced exact dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage.

The post Heineken Cup Draw: Leinster Fixtures, Dates, Kick-off Times and Pool Opposition appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Heineken Cup Draw has been revealed, after the pool draw took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday at 12:00 UK and Irish time. 

With 24 of Europe’s best sides learning of their opponents for the upcoming 2021/22 competition.

Following the conclusion of the draw, the EPCR have announced exact dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage.

The post Heineken Cup Draw: Munster Fixtures, Dates, Kick-off Times and Pool Opposition appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.