Champions Cup: Third time's a charm for Sale Sharks?
This weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-finals throw up some fascinating contrasts, with two of the ties pitting former winners against each other and the other two games involving teams who have yet to lift the prestigious trophy.
Those former winners have a total of 13 European titles between them, Stade Toulousain leading the way with five, Leinster just behind them on four, while Leicester Tigers and Munster have won two apiece.
When Munster and Stade Toulousain clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, both clubs will be making a record 19th appearance at this stage of the tournament.
They have met six times in the knockout stage to date – including the famous 2008 final at the Millennium Stadium won by Munster 16-13 – with the Irish province ahead 4-2.
Munster were winners of the 2014 and 2017 quarter-finals, but Stade Toulousain triumphed 40-33 in the Round of 16 at Thomond Park last season on their way to lifting the trophy.
#SPOTLIGHT: Damian de Allende opens up 👇#Munster #URC #ChampionsCup https://t.co/FV9iFjaws9
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) May 4, 2022
Meanwhile, Leicester and Leinster will be going head-to-head for the fifth time in the knockout stage of the tournament when they meet at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday at 17:30.
It’s currently 2-2, including the 2009 final won 19-16 by Leinster at BT Murrayfield, so the tie between this season’s leading clubs in the Premiership and the United Rugby Championship couldn’t be more even for viewers.
Kicking off at the same time in France will be the quarter-final between TOP 14 rivals Stade Rochelais and Montpellier Hérault Rugby at Stade Marce Deflandre.
It will be the first time these two sides have met in the Champions Cup and the first time Montpellier have reached the last eight since 2013.
#⃣INJURY UPDATE: @leinsterrugby will not just get back the bulk of their internationals, but also serious muscle will be returning for their @ChampionsCup quarterfinal encounter with @LeicesterTigers at #WelfordRoad on #Saturday #Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌐
🔗https://t.co/er8pe6RlOL pic.twitter.com/0K4hkobXvd— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) May 2, 2022
Sunday’s sole tie between Racing 92 and Sale Sharks at Paris La Defense Arena, is also the first meeting between the clubs in the competition.
Sale Sharks will be looking for a first quarter-final success in their history, having lost to Biarritz Olympique in 2006 and to Stade Rochelais last season.
Of the 100 tournament quarter-final matches to date, 74 percent have been won by the home club.
@ChampionsCup
