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EPCR statement: Champions Cup semi-finals venues

Exeter Chiefs' Jack Yeandle celebrates after scoring the winning try during Heineken European Champions Cup Round Of Sixteen match between Exeter Chiefs and Montpellier Herault Rugby at Sandy Park on April 2, 2023 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images)

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has announced the potential venues for the semi-finals, based on the clubs with the highest rankings from the pool stage of the tournament.

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The stadiums were selected following close consultation with Premiership Rugby, the United Rugby Championship, and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby. The clubs with the highest rankings from the pool stage of the tournament will earn home country advantage for the matches. This means that Leinster, Stade Rochelais, Exeter Chiefs, and the Cell C Sharks have the possibility of playing in front of their home crowds, depending on the results of the upcoming fixtures.

The EPCR will announce the dates, venues, kick-off times, and TV coverage for the semi-finals as soon as possible following this weekend’s fixtures. This means that rugby fans will have to wait a little longer to find out which teams will be playing where and when.

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Top seeds Leinster could be in line for a ‘home run’ to the final should they beat Leicester Tigers this weekend in the Aviva, potentially playing four back-to-back games at the home of Irish rugby. However, if a South African side qualifies as the top seed for the semis, their fixture will be held in Europe.

Possible semi-final matches and venues – 28/29/30 April

• Leinster Rugby (A1) v either Stade Toulousain (B2) or Cell C Sharks (A3) – Aviva Stadium, Dublin (capacity: 51,700).

• Stade Toulousain (B2) v Leicester Tigers (B4) – Matmut ATLANTIQUE, Bordeaux (capacity: 42,100).

• Cell C Sharks (A3) v Leicester Tigers (B4) – StoneX Stadium, London (capacity: 10,300)

• Stade Rochelais (B1) v either Exeter Chiefs (A2) or DHL Stormers (B3) – Matmut ATLANTIQUE, Bordeaux (capacity: 42,100).

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• Exeter Chiefs (A2) v Saracens (A4) – Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol (capacity: 27,000).

• DHL Stormers (B3) v Saracens (A4) – Twickenham Stoop, London (capacity: 14,800)

As previously referenced and agreed with SARU, if a South African representative happens to qualify for a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final as a highest-ranked club, the match will be staged at a venue in Europe.

Quarter-finals
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)

Tomorrow
QF 1: Leinster Rugby (A1) v Leicester Tigers (B4), Aviva Stadium (20.00)

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Saturday
QF 2: Stade Toulousain (B2) v Cell C Sharks (A3), Stade Ernest Wallon (16.00)
QF 3: Exeter Chiefs (A2) v DHL Stormers (B3), Sandy Park (17.30)

Sunday
QF 4: Stade Rochelais (B1) v Saracens (A4), Stade Marcel Deflandre (16.00)

Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2
SF 2: Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4

2023 Heineken Champions Cup final: Saturday 20 May; Aviva Stadium, Dublin (16.45)

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J
JW 2 hours ago
How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock

The All Blacks have definitely exchanged physicality for their running rugby, tiring teams out in the last 10 minutes type approach, over the last decade.


Hell they were the ones getting tired in South Africa last year.


Previously, we had always had to get ourselves pumped up to match the SB. Our forwards would need to punch above their weight. There’s been no such feeling or talk like that for a decade. We’re happy that we can go toe to toe all day everyday now. I suggest Ireland still need to do that though.


Yes I’m not familiar with those games, or the way you’d played them, you and Graham were discussing, but I’d say the players I’ve seen recently certainly do have those capabilities (to outplay/skill NZ or France). Really though I think we both acknowledging the same thing, the capaticity to play multiple ways, because you have the most well rounded player types.


So I fully endorse unlocking that further. Ireland became a tricky bunch for sure. You may not have heard me champion their play when it first started coming out, by I credited them/Lancaster, as encompasing a lot of the great backline/phase play trickery I’d become accustomed to naturally seeing, through evolution, from all ages in New Zealand. He put a plan together about how/when to cut/when to loop/when to skip. Players I grew up with, well even myself of course, we just did those things based on what we see, and Lancaster put that together as a package for people who don’t.. have such DNA, or ‘IP’. I’ve not seen any other team do it with such precision, or make it look so natural as they did. They’ve lost it now of course (as had NZ already), but my point would be that you can also do you’re own thing. For instance you could go to grubbers instead of territory kicks, low fast guys, even the tall lanky Fassi’ are supreme at reading and catching a bouncing ball. Simply by not going to your lineout strength, you can put immense attacking pressure through space and speed for example. Brown got the use of those athletes going in the wide channels, while still looking for say someone who was as good as Kieran Read to really unlock that threat. But anyway, maybe I misconstrued what you wanted the team to do, but I just think there are, as youve said about the past, ways SA can play. I wouldn’t be worried about anything too fancy, but yes, they say defence wins match’s but really that’s just because attack is the hardest thing to get right. So if you can get it right, yes, you do almost become unbeatable. Like I said I couldn’t see going as far as to play like a “Brazil” being a “trick” to get over the mental barrier of expectation, not with SA’s psyche. In tsaying that though I’m thinking to myself, in terms of clamming up in big games, Irelands playbook approach would be better than instinct. That’s because you need that ‘brazilian’ to play on instinct, and I think the game means too much to us for that, and maybe that’s how Ireland was able to keep up it’s threat in those big games, all everyone simply had to do with stick the playbook.


Even without winning WCs NZ has been able to feel like it was still on top, and playing with some audacious flair, as in just backing yourself to beat these two players in front of me that results in a breakdown field which wins you the game, requires that sort of knowledge that you are the best, that level of confidence. That’s an advantage NZ has had to keep that style going over the decades. The acid test has come on, there is a desire their from from Razor to regain it, now to be able to play that way when doubts set in.

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Connor Nicolas 3 hours ago
'Individuals are stepping up': Vern Cotter on Beauden Barrett's influence

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Connor Nicolas 4 hours ago
'Individuals are stepping up': Vern Cotter on Beauden Barrett's influence

Several weeks ago, my life was irrevocably altered by a crypto romance scam a cruel amalgamation of emotional manipulation and financial exploitation. A person I believed to be my partner, whom I had met on a niche trading forum, gradually ensnared me into investing in a purportedly “groundbreaking” decentralized finance (DeFi) project. Over several months, they meticulously cultivated trust, shared fabricated returns, and even orchestrated video calls with supposed “developers” to lend credence to the scheme. By the time I discerned the truth, a staggering $215,000 of my life savings had evaporated into a labyrinth of blockchain addresses, and the individual I thought I knew had vanished without a trace. The betrayal was paralyzing; I felt not only financially devastated but emotionally shattered.As a small business owner, I am no stranger to risk, but this was a domain far beyond my comprehension. I promptly filed reports with the FTC, collaborated with cybersecurity experts, and spent countless sleepless nights poring over Etherscan, desperately attempting to trace the transactions. However, the scammers’ adept use of privacy coins and offshore exchanges rendered the trail elusive, dissipating like smoke. Each dead end deepened my despair and sense of helplessness.In the midst of this turmoil, I confided in a family friend about my harrowing ordeal. After hearing my story, he referred me to GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Initially skeptical but driven by desperation, I visited their website and was struck by their no-nonsense commitment to transparency. Unlike other firms that promised miraculous recoveries, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES provided a clear,breakdown of their process: forensics, collaboration with international legal networks, and direct engagement with exchanges to freeze illicit funds.From the moment I reached out to GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES , their team approached my case faster . They meticulously analyzed my situation, keeping me informed at every stage of the recovery process. Ultimately, they succeeded in recovering my entire investment, restoring my financial stability and also rekindling my faith in the possibility of justice in the digital age. This experience has imparted invaluable lessons about vigilance and the importance of seeking help when navigating the dangerous currents of cryptocurrency. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES has proven to be a beacon of hope for those ensnared in the web of crypto fraud, demonstrating that recovery is indeed possible with the right support and expertise.You can reach them on whatsapp +18582759508, web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

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Charles Brown 4 hours ago
Does a crowd have the right to boo their team if they're not being entertained?

Bitcoin Recovery Testimony: How LION CYBERSECURITY COMPANY Saved My $1 Million

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Charles Brown 4 hours ago
Does a crowd have the right to boo their team if they're not being entertained?

Bitcoin Recovery Testimony: How LION CYBERSECURITY COMPANY Saved My $1 Million

I never imagined I would be in a situation like this. In January 2025, I mistakenly transferred $1 million worth of Bitcoin to the wrong wallet address during a high-pressure transaction. It was a moment of carelessness that nearly cost me everything. The wallet I sent it to was untraceable, and I was told by several "experts" that once crypto is gone, it’s gone for good.

I was devastated. That money represented years of savings, business investments, and future plans. I couldn't sleep or think straight. I reached out to different platforms and forums, hoping someone might help, but it felt hopeless—until I was referred to LION CYBERSECURITY COMPANY .

From the first moment I contacted them, I could tell this wasn’t just another "recovery scam." Their team was professional, clear in their communication, and, most importantly, they didn’t make unrealistic promises. They walked me through their process step by step, and while I was still skeptical, I had nothing left to lose.

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Connor Nicolas 5 hours ago
Ronan O'Gara eyes huge Six Nations star for free-falling La Rochelle

Several weeks ago, my life was irrevocably altered by a crypto romance scam a cruel amalgamation of emotional manipulation and financial exploitation. A person I believed to be my partner, whom I had met on a niche trading forum, gradually ensnared me into investing in a purportedly “groundbreaking” decentralized finance (DeFi) project. Over several months, they meticulously cultivated trust, shared fabricated returns, and even orchestrated video calls with supposed “developers” to lend credence to the scheme. By the time I discerned the truth, a staggering $215,000 of my life savings had evaporated into a labyrinth of blockchain addresses, and the individual I thought I knew had vanished without a trace. The betrayal was paralyzing; I felt not only financially devastated but emotionally shattered.As a small business owner, I am no stranger to risk, but this was a domain far beyond my comprehension. I promptly filed reports with the FTC, collaborated with cybersecurity experts, and spent countless sleepless nights poring over Etherscan, desperately attempting to trace the transactions. However, the scammers’ adept use of privacy coins and offshore exchanges rendered the trail elusive, dissipating like smoke. Each dead end deepened my despair and sense of helplessness.In the midst of this turmoil, I confided in a family friend about my harrowing ordeal. After hearing my story, he referred me to GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Initially skeptical but driven by desperation, I visited their website and was struck by their no-nonsense commitment to transparency. Unlike other firms that promised miraculous recoveries, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES provided a clear,breakdown of their process: forensics, collaboration with international legal networks, and direct engagement with exchanges to freeze illicit funds.From the moment I reached out to GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES , their team approached my case faster . They meticulously analyzed my situation, keeping me informed at every stage of the recovery process. Ultimately, they succeeded in recovering my entire investment, restoring my financial stability and also rekindling my faith in the possibility of justice in the digital age. This experience has imparted invaluable lessons about vigilance and the importance of seeking help when navigating the dangerous currents of cryptocurrency. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES has proven to be a beacon of hope for those ensnared in the web of crypto fraud, demonstrating that recovery is indeed possible with the right support and expertise.You can reach them on whatsapp +18582759508, web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

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