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EPCR confirms its four potential Champions Cup semi-final venues
By Online Editors
Stadiums in Coventry, Paris, Dublin and Edinburgh have been lined up to host European Champions Cup semi-finals after organisers EPCR confirmed its plans for the tournament’s last-four matches on the weekend of April 20 and 21.
Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, Paris La Défense Arena, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and BT Murrayfield have been selected as the venues for the games, with the 32,000-capacity Paris La Défense Arena and the iconic BT Murrayfield chosen.
This follows a recent EPCR board decision to allow a semi-final to be played at the home stadium of a qualified club.
If No 1-ranked Saracens manage to win their quarter-final match against Glasgow Warriors, they will meet either Edinburgh or Munster at the Ricoh Arena in semi-final 1.??If Edinburgh and Glasgow win their respective quarter-finals, then the two will play at Murrayfield.
However, if Munster defeat Edinburgh and if Glasgow get the better of Saracens, Munster and Glasgow will clash at Dublin’s Aviva.
(Continue reading below...)
Regarding semi-final 2, if Racing 92 emerge victorious from their all-TOP 14 quarter-final with Toulouse, they will play either Leinster or Ulster at Paris La Défense Arena.
But if Toulouse defeat No 2-ranked Racing, then they will travel to Ireland to meet the winners of the Leinster v Ulster quarter-final at the Aviva.
• The format for the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals recognises performances by clubs during the pool stage with the highest-ranked clubs earning home country advantage in their respective semi-final matches;
• The Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals are played at venues designated by EPCR which have been selected in this instance in conjunction with the Irish Rugby Football Union, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, Premiership Rugby and Scottish Rugby.
Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals April 20/21
Semi-final 1: if Saracens v Edinburgh Rugby – Ricoh Arena (Coventry)
Semi-final 1: if Saracens v Munster Rugby – Ricoh Arena (Coventry)
Semi-final 1: if Edinburgh Rugby v Glasgow Warriors – BT Murrayfield (Edinburgh)
Semi-final 1: if Munster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors – Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
Semi-final 2: if Racing 92 v Leinster Rugby – Paris La Défense Arena
Semi-final 2: if Racing 92 v Ulster Rugby – Paris La Défense Arena
Semi-final 2: if Leinster Rugby v Toulouse – Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
Semi-final 2: if Ulster Rugby v Toulouse – Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
2019 Heineken Champions Cup final: Saturday, 11 May; St James’ Park, Newcastle (17.00)
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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