Euro knockouts: Venues and kick-off times confirmed for Round of 16
NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has confirmed the dates, venues and kick-off times for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Round of 16 matches, as Europe and South Africa’s top clubs take the next steps on the road to the Bilbao Finals at San Mamés Stadium.
Champions Cup
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times – SAST included for SA teams)
Friday, April 3:
The knockout action gets underway at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, where last season’s finalists Northampton Saints welcome Castres Olympique. It’s Castres’ third visit to Northampton in 18 months – the most recent being last season’s quarterfinal, which ended in Saints’ favour en route to the final.
Match 5: Northampton Saints (5) v Castres Olympique (12), cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens (20.00)
Saturday, April 4
Saturday opens with an all-English heavyweight battle as PREM champions Bath Rugby host Saracens at The Rec. Bath topped their pool, while Saracens qualified in 13th. Saracens boast three Champions Cup titles – more than any other English club – while Bath won the EPCR Challenge Cup last season. Despite frequent domestic meetings, this is their first-ever clash in the Investec Champions Cup, with knockout tension guaranteed.
RC Toulon, three-time champions, welcome the Stormers to Stade Mayol. Toulon claimed victory when the sides last met in South Africa during last season’s pool stage. Toulon reached the quarterfinals last season, while the Stormers last appeared in the knockout stages in 2024. The Stormers know they are one big win away from either a South African derby quarterfinal, or league rivals Glasgow Warriors, who currently sit just below the table-topping Capetonians in the URC.
At Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow Warriors host the Bulls in a first-ever Champions Cup meeting. Glasgow topped their pool with a perfect record and beat the Bulls at home in the URC earlier this season, but both sides have quarterfinal pedigree in the competition, setting up a finely balanced contest.
European heavyweights Stade Toulousain then host Bristol Bears at Stadium de Toulouse in another first-time encounter. Six-time champions Toulouse took two wins in the pool stage, while Bristol impressed with three wins and will arrive full of confidence against the competition’s most decorated side.
Saturday night concludes with another all-English clash as Harlequins face Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stoop. The sides haven’t met in the Champions Cup since 2009/10, and while Sale won convincingly in domestic action in December, Quins will back their home advantage on the European stage.
Match 4: Bath Rugby (4) v Saracens (13), The Recreation Ground (15.00)
Match 7: RC Toulon (7) v DHL Stormers (10), Stade Mayol (16.00; 16.00 SAST)
Match 2: Glasgow Warriors (2) v Vodacom Bulls (15), Scotstoun Stadium (17.30; 18.30 SAST)
Match 8: Stade Toulousain (8) v Bristol Bears (9), Le Stadium de Toulouse (18.30)
Match 6: Harlequins (6) v Sale Sharks (11), Twickenham Stoop (20.00)
Sunday, April 5:
Sunday sees reigning champions and top seeds Union Bordeaux Bègles host Leicester Tigers. Bordeaux beat Leicester in last season’s pool stage, while the two-time champions Leicester will be determined to go further than last year’s Round of 16 exit.
The Round of 16 concludes in Dublin, where four-time winners Leinster Rugby welcome Edinburgh Rugby. Leinster, chasing a fifth star after heartbreak in recent years, topped their pool. Edinburgh qualified 14th and are back in the knockouts for the first time since 2022/23. Despite both clubs’ European pedigree, this is their first Champions Cup meeting since 2008/09.
Match 1: Union Bordeaux Bègles (1) v Leicester Tigers (16), Stade Chaban-Delmas (16.00)
Match 3: Leinster Rugby (3) v Edinburgh Rugby (14), Aviva Stadium (17.30)
Challenge Cup:
The knockout action gets underway at Dexcom Stadium as Connacht Rugby host Hollywoodbets Sharks in a first-ever EPCR Challenge Cup meeting.
2024 EPCR Challenge Cup winners, the Sharks arrive having dropped down after finishing fifth in their Investec Champions Cup pool.
Connacht, appearing in the knockout stages for the 14th time, are still in pursuit of a first title after a quarter-final exit last season.
Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixtures:
Friday, April 3:
Match 8: Connacht Rugby (8) v Hollywoodbets Sharks (9), Dexcom Stadium (20.00; 21.00)
Saturday, April 4:
Match 7: Exeter Chiefs (7) v Munster Rugby (10), Sandy Park Stadium (12.30)
Match 1: Montpellier Hérault Rugby (1) v USAP (16), Septeo Stadium (13.30)
Match 2: Benetton Rugby (2) v Cardiff Rugby (15), Stadio Comunale di Monigo (18.30)
Match 3: Ulster Rugby (3) v Ospreys (14), Affidea Stadium (20.00)
Match 6: Newcastle Red Bulls (6) v Stade Rochelais (11), Kingston Park (20.00)
Sunday, April 5:
Match 4: Stade Français Paris (4) v Dragons RFC (13), Stade Jean Bouin (13.30)
Match 5: Zebre Parma (5) v Section Paloise (12), Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (18.30)
