Champions Cup
This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s Champions Cup news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoKingston: We’ll be ready for Wasps
HARLEQUINS rugby director John Kingston refused to accept that this home defeat by La Rochelle had scuppered his side’s knock-out chances....
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoTeflon Rob could have done so much more
ROB Andrew’s reputation as the Teflon man of English rugby may have taken a knock when he was sacked as the...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoStorming Stockdale takes the sting out of Wasps
■By BRENDAN GALLAGHER FORMER Wasp Charlies Piutau provided the x-factor and Jacob Stockdale the cutting edge as Ulster got their European...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoCut the bench to reduce the risk of injuries
AS the broken body count in the Premiership rises, with a growing consensus that the greater ball-in-play time under the new...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoYoung: It’s not going our way
WASPS director of rugby Dai Young said: “When the luck’s not with you it’s not with you, but it’ll turn. When...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoSimmonds leaves it to clinch Chiefs win
■By ROGER PANTING EXETER made hard work of getting their Cup campaign off to a winning start as it took them...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoAnniversary of Foley’s death can give Munster energy to topple Castres’ big guns
■By SAM JACKSON MUNSTER coach Rassie Erasmus wants his men to mark the first anniversary of Anthony Foley’s death with a...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoMontpellier mauled by hit-man Henshaw
■By DECLAN ROONEY First blood: Joey Carbery goes over to score Leinster’s first try PICTURES: Getty Images RUAN Pienaar nailed a...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoRobbie’s praise for Leinster stand-ins
ROBBIE Henshaw paid tribute to his young teammates who stepped up for yesterday’s Champions Cup opener. Without Johnny Sexton, Scott Fardy...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoMagical Nakawara casts his spell over Leicester
■By BRENDAN GALLAGHER FIJIAN superstar Leone Nakarawa, playing rugby but not as we know it, was the difference between Racing and...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoO’Connor: Bonus point will be vital
LEICESTER director of rugby Matt O’Connor insisted the Tigers’ losing bonus point could prove vital in Pool 4. Tigers had their...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoUnderhill suffers as Bath run lukewarm
■By GARY FITZGERALD TODD Blackadder had mixed emotions after Bath made heavy weather of seeing off European minnows Benetton and failed...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years ago‘We must improve to beat Scarlets’
CHRIS Cook claims Bath must move up a gear or two if they are to be serious European contenders. The scrum-half...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoDavies must spike big guns of Nonu and Bastareaud
■By ALEX BYWATER JONATHAN Davies is used to the big occasion. Six consecutive Test starts for the British & Irish Lions...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoOspreys positive despite poor run
■By STEFFAN THOMAS Great challenge: Olly Cracknell OSPREYS back row forward Olly Cracknell is confident his team can put their woeful...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years ago‘We learnt our lesson’ says Cipriani, as Wasps prepare for Ulster test
By Adam Ellis Ahead of Wasps‘ trip to face Ulster in the Champions Cup under the lights of the Kingspan Stadium...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 years agoRob Baxter plans to make Exeter Chiefs one of Europe’s elite
By Nick Cain EXETER Chiefs are rolling towards Europe’s elite clubs like a dislodged boulder of Dartmoor granite. The newly- crowned...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoOf course Billy’s a loss, but others will step in
NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK The wailing and gnashing of teeth over Billy Vunipola’s withdrawal from the Lions...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoLions must beware getting on wrong side of ref
WHAT was evident from the high-tempo Chiefs v Crusaders clash played in Suva, Fiji, last weekend was that forward passes in...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoMallinder hits winner after Wood sees red
By NICK VERDIER NORTHAMPTON defied the odds to book their place in next season’s Champions Cup after fighting back from 22-16...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoFrench firepower proves too much for Blues
Stade Fr 46 Cardiff Blues 21 CARDIFF Blues will play in the Challenge Cup for the third consecutive season after defeat...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoConnacht feel force of bonecrusher Courtney
By NEALE HARVEY Northampton 21pts Tries: Mallinder 2 Groom 60 Conversions: Mallinder 2 Penalties: Mallinder 16, 25, 71 Connacht 15pts Tries:...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoGoode: We just want to get better and better
SARACENS full-back Alex Goode praised the composure of his teammates after scoring another late matchwinning try to seal victory over Clermont....
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoWe’re going to miss you Ashton, try scoring ace
BRENDAN GALLAGHER No one individual ever wins a match for Saracens, it’s not how they go about their work, but it...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoAbendanon: It’s not a nice feeling but we’ll be back again
NICK Abendanon was left gutted by Saracens’ stunning finale after his side had fought their way back into the match. He...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoRef Owens makes it tougher for Cup heroes
Clermont 17pts Tries: Lamerat 27, Abendanon 52 Conversions: Parra 28, 54 Penalties: Parra 60 Saracens 28pts Tries: Ashton 13, Kruis 22,...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoNICK CAIN’S PLAYER WATCH…
CLERMONT 1. RAPHAEL CHAUME Did his duty at the scrum, and did not stint at close quarters Rating: 6 out of...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoCrusading Clermont are closing in on their Holy Grail
Brendan Gallagher reviews the intriguing background to next Saturday’s big match IT possibly won’t surprise you that Clermont –who took 99...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoThis is still Sarries’ time says Burger the wrecking-ball
Bone-crunching: Jacques Burger tackles Clermont’s Sitiveni Sivivatu EVERYBODY will have their own favourite MOM performance in Europe but for me nothing...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoBack row dominance will be key for Leinster
By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Johnny Sexton in action for Leinster during victory over Wasps. Organiser: Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster Route to the...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoAbendanon: I’m coming home to push bid for 2019 World Cup
By NEALE HARVEY NICK Abendanon could yet compete for an England full-back spot at the 2019 World Cup after revealing he...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoLopez relishing his chance on the big European stage
By NICK VERDIER CLERMONT have not been at their best in recent weeks but fly-half Camille Lopez reckons only one game...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoSaracens show ruthless streak to stem tide of Foley’s red army
By NICK CAIN Powering over: Mako Vunipola charges through Keith Earls for the opening try PICTURES: Getty Images OWEN Farrell was...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoWe are only going to get better says coach McCall
Pleased: Mark McCall SARACENS recorded their 17th Champions Cup win on the bounce to book their place in the final once...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoYoung: You expect a player of Willie’s quality to score that
Disappointed: Dai Young WASPS director of rugby Dai Young told how Willie Le Roux said sorry to his team-mates for dropping...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoFrench giants no match for runaway Red Army
By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Munster 41pts Tries: Ryan 5, Stander 48, Sweetnam 76, Conway 80 Conversions: Bleyendaal 5, 76, 80 Penalties: Bleyendaal...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoRyan: We stood up to pack onslaught
STAR man John Ryan admitted the scoreline flattered his team after being made to work hard for the victory. “It was...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoSaracens’ success made me sick… now it’s my turn
Neale Harvey talks to Dave Strettle about his quest to emulate his old Sarries mates PREVIEW… Clermont v Toulon Today. Kick-off...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoHalfpenny demands improvement ahead of showdown
By NICK VERDIER Hungry: Leigh Halfpenny LEIGH Halpfenny has urged his teammates to snap out of their travel sickness for the...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoMighty Mako can put the frighteners on the Warriors
Nick Cain talks to Saracens prop Mako Vunipola ahead of today’s clash Nick Cain PREVIEW… Saracens v Glasgow Today. Kick-off 1pm....
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoWe know it’s going to be physical says pack ace Harley
In the thick of it: Rob Harley of Glasgow tackles Edinburgh’s Damien Hoyland ROB HARLEY has been there and done it...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoMcCall: Don’t let rugby go same way as county cricket
MARK McCall has deep misgivings about the new 11 month season that has been foisted on Northern Hemisphere clubs, and as...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoLe Roux’s splash crash sums up Wasps woe
By NICK CAIN Leinster 32pts Tries: Nacewa 14, Conan 33, Henshaw 40, McFadden 73 Conversions: Sexton 34, 40, 74 Penalties: Sexton...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoEurostars who can earn chance to make a late check-in for the Lions
Warren Gatland’s final selection may be swayed by stellar Euro showings says Brendan Gallagher Hooking hopeful: Saracen Jamie George Leinster Lions?...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoLeinster v Wasps (Aviva Stadium) – April 1
Form in Europe this season: Leinster qualified as fourth seeds with their campaign being built around impressive back-to-back wins over Northampton...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoMunster v Toulouse (Thomond Park) – April 1
Form in Europe this season: In a fearsome looking group Munster, inspired by the memory of their late coach Anthony Foley,...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoSaracens v Glasgow (Allianz Park) – April 2
Form in Europe this season: Saracens couldn’t quite repeat their 100 per cent record in qualifying of last year but came...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoClermont v Toulon (Stade Michelin) – April 2
Form in Europe this season: Clermont are one of the few French clubs who place European Cup success over the Top14...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoOld Trafford in battle to host Champions Cup final
Old Trafford and the Nou Camp are among venues being considered to stage the 2018 European Champions Cup Final. Manchester United...
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Champions Cup
/ 9 years agoStade Mayol is a far cry from that surreal day in Bucharest!
by CHRIS JONES The Stade Mayol provided a vibrant background for Saracens European Champions Cup clash with Toulon yesterday and it...












