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Times and dates confirmed for the rescheduled Champions Cup quarter-finals
By Online Editors
A repeat of the 2019 Champions Cup final won by Saracens against Leinster in Newcastle will get the resumption of the delayed 2019/20 European tournament underway on September 19 when the clubs clash in Dublin in the quarter-finals.
The meeting of the clubs that have won the past four titles - Saracens in 2016, 2017 and 2019, and Leinster in 2018 - was the standout fixture following the completion of the pool stages last January.
However, rather than see these clubs go head-to-head in front of a packed Aviva Stadium last April, the coronavirus pandemic caused a five-month postponement where there is no indication that any fans might be able to attend due to restrictions on large public gatherings in Ireland.
The Leinster-Saracens match has been given a Saturday afternoon September 19 kick-off in Dublin and it will be followed later that evening by the all-French meeting of Clermont and Racing at Stade Marcel-Michelin.
Toulouse-Ulster will open proceedings on the Sunday from Le Stadium before the quarter-finals end with Gallagher Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs hosting Northampton in their all-English clash.
ECPR officials also unveiled the dates and times for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals on the same September weekend. In a statement, EPCR explained: "All matches will be subject to government guidelines and/or restrictions with EPCR prioritising the health and welfare of players, club staff, match officials, media, supporters and the wider rugby community."
HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP quarter-finals
(All kick-offs local time)
Saturday, September 19
QF 1: Leinster Rugby v Saracens, Aviva Stadium (15.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
QF 2: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92, Stade Marcel-Michelin (18.30) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport
Sunday, September 20
QF 3: Toulouse v Ulster Rugby, Le Stadium (13.30) France 2 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport / Channel 4 / Virgin Media
QF 4: Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints, Sandy Park (17.30) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Semi-final 1 - winner of QF 1, Leinster Rugby v Saracens, will play the winner of QF 2, ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92
Semi-final 2 - winner of QF 3, Toulouse v Ulster Rugby, will play the winner of QF 4, Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints
(Matches to be played on 25/26/27 September)
2020 Heineken Champions Cup final: weekend 16/17/18 October (venue TBC)
CHALLENGE CUP quarter-finals
(All kick-offs local time)
Friday, September 18
QF 4: Bristol Bears v Dragons, Ashton Gate Stadium (19.45) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Saturday, September 19
QF 3: Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Chaban-Delmas (13.30) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport
QF 1: RC Toulon v Scarlets, Stade Félix Mayol (21.00) France 4 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport / S4C
Sunday, September 20
QF 2: Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique, Welford Road (15.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Semi-final 1 - winner of QF 1, RC Toulon v Scarlets, will play the winner of QF 2, Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique
Semi-final 2 - winner of QF 3, Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby, will play the winner of QF 4, Bristol Bears v Dragons
(Matches to be played on 25/26/27 September)
2020 Challenge Cup final: weekend 16/17/18 October (venue TBC)
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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