Champions Cup presents some tantalizing prospects in the last 16  

Delays and cancellations due to broader world events notwithstanding, the Champions Cup has successfully reached the end of the group stage, and we can now catch our breath before the knockouts get underway in April. There’s representation from three countries, and the bookmakers have eight of the sixteen qualifiers at 14/1 or shorter, an indication of just how wide open the tournament stands. 

Strong English representation 

At the start of the campaign, few Premier League sides were making great shakes in the rugby betting odds for European glory.  Yet five English sides are through to the last 16. Last year’s domestic champions Harlequins are in the mix, and are a 10/1 shot to add the European trophy to their cabinet. They will be pleased to have drawn Montpellier in the round of 16 and it will be surprising if they don’t make it through to the quarter finals.  

They are joined from Pool B by Leicester Tigers and one of the surprise packages of the tournament, the Bristol Bears. Leicester have drawn Clermont at home for the first leg, while Bristol have a tough challenge at Sale. The fifth English team to have qualified is Exeter, and their game against Munster is one that the neutrals, in particular will be relishing. 

Leinster the team to beat 

All four Irish teams have been massively impressive throughout this year’s campaign, and Munster are joined by their three compatriots in the last 16. Connacht has qualified for the first time, and it will be a giant-killing story for the ages if they can get past Leinster. With more than 60 points on average per game, the latter are justifiably the bookmakers’ favourites for the overall tournament, and most have them at around 5/2 to go all the way. 

But let’s not forget there’s a fourth Irish team in the mix. Ulster have played out of their skin in this tournament, going undefeated and knocking over opposition like Northampton and Clermont on their path to the last 16. No good deed goes unpunished, it seems, as they’ve drawn the title holders. They will have to pull off another memorable performance to get further, as Toulouse is of course a tough draw. They’ve lifted the trophy five times and featured in seven finals. Yet although Ulster will go in as underdogs, anyone who rules them out does so at their own peril. 

So what happens next? 

The first legs of the round of sixteen games will take place between 8^th and 10^th April, with the return legs a week later. From there, the quarter finals onwards will be single leg encounters, with ranking at the pool stage determining who gets home advantage in the quarters and semis.  

The final will be played out in front, we all hope, of a packed crowd at the magnificent 65,000 capacity Stadt Velodrome in Marseilles on 28 May. Check for coverage on Channel 4 or Virgin Media closer to the time.