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
/ 11 months agoLeicester Tigers 38-10 Ulster: Josh Bassett shines to make sure for Leicester
Josh Bassett warmed the hands and hearts of the Welford Road faithful with a fine hat-trick as Tigers cruised into the...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoSharks 8-20 Toulouse: Toulouse on easy street as the sun beats down
This match proved more of a damp squib rather than a tournament classic as reigning champions Toulouse showcased their class by...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoStade Rochelais v Leinster: Leinster aiming to cash in on Will Skelton’s absence
Leinster and La Rochelle, the 2022 and 2023 finalists, continue their epic rivalry today with both sides unbeaten in this year’s...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoCastres in good shape but Bulls fade away
■ By TOM WALKER Castres ............ 49 Bulls .................. 10 A SECOND-STRING Bulls were all but eliminated from the Champions Cup...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoBristol Bears v Benetton: James Williams out to prove his worth again
James Williams saw off the challenge of Virimi Vakatawa last season and having recovered from a shoulder injury now has the...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoThis match will be tough – it’s do-or-die for us, says Lam
■ By PAUL REES PAT Lam has billed Bristol’s clash with Treviso at Ashton Gate today as do or die. Defeat...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoBath v Clermont: Joe Cokanasiga- “It is all down to chatting to the boss”
Joe Cokanasiga has credited a frank conversation with head of rugby Johann van Graan for his purple patch of form for...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoWe know this is a must-win match, admits van Graan
Return: Bath’s Ted Hill BATH make five changes as they look to kickstart their Champions Cup campaign against Clermont Auvergne. England...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoToulon v Harlequins: We’re expecting a brutal clash, admits Chisholm
James Chisholm admits he is not one of the flashier players who wear the Harlequins’ multi-coloured jersey, but the back rower...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoWilson: We have a good record and won’t be overawed
■ By PAUL REES DANNY Wilson says Harlequins will not be overawed when they face Toulon at Stade Mayol today having...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoChampions Cup: The seven best match-ups of the weekend
The penultimate round of fixtures in the Champions Cup pools gets underway this weekend, with some huge team selection calls being...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoAntoine Dupont set to make only second southern hemisphere appearance when Toulouse face Sharks
Reigning French and European champions Toulouse are set to put a full-strength team out in their away trip to South Africa...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoLeicester Tigers chasing dream double
By Gary Fitzgerald Nicky Smith insists Leicester Tigers will not be content unless they complete a “dream double” as Michael Cheika’s...
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Champions Cup
/ 11 months agoMark McCall surprised by timing of new law changes in Champions Cup
By Paul Rees Mark McCall is surprised law trials are being introduced to the Champions Cup this week halfway through the...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoChampions Cup defeats will spur us on – Harry Randall
By Paul Rees Harry Randall believes Bristol’s two Champions Cup defeats against Leinster and La Rochelle this month will help them...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoSchalk Ferreira leads the way as veterans take to the pitch
Veteran props never quit, they just keep on scrummaging in ever increasing numbers which explains why Francisco Gomez Kodela fails to...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoAt least the French are going full-bore in Champions Cup
By Peter Jackson Neutrals the world over will relish the prospect of Toulouse and La Rochelle invading Cardiff at season’s end...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoRonan O’Gara keeps on driving La Rochelle
Mark Stevens talks to the former Ireland No.10 about his plans in France - and what could happen next In the...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoCraig Casey blow as Munster hit by injury problems
By Jim Short Castres............... 16pts Tries: Papali’i 12, Walcker 29 Penalties: Fernandez 48, le Brun 72 Munster............. 14pts Tries: Hodnett 37,...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoAlex Mitchell is taking Northampton Saints to next level
By Brendan Gallagher Bulls...................................21pts Tries: Coetzee 34, Hanekom 61, 69 Conversions: Goosen 35, 62, 70 Northampton Saints.... 30pts Tries: Hendy 31,...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoMark McCall: There is no margin for error in this format so we have to back up last week
By PAUL REES Match Preview Stade Francais v Saracens Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stadium Mark McCall has warned his Saracens players not...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoPhil Dowson relieved Northampton Saints are in the swing of things
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson believes the win will provide huge relief for his squad following an underwhelming start to...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoWe had to work hard for that – Jordie Barrett
By John Fallon Leinster.............. 15pts Tries: Ringrose 22, Barrett 26 Conversion: Prendergast 23 Penalty: Prendergast 49 Clermont.............. 7pts Try: Raka 4...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoDuncan Weir’s set for Toulon tester
By Ben Jaycock Match Preview Toulon vs Glasgow Today. 3.15pm Duncan Weir feels his Glasgow side must get to grips with...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoA bridge too far for us, says John Plumtree
Sharks boss John Plumtree claimed that the demands of the present schedule had created a ‘bridge too far’ for his squad....
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoPowerful Leicester Tigers take Sharks apart with ease
By Rob Wildman Leicester Tigers............. 56pts Tries: Montoya 10, 25; Hassell-Collins 28, Kata 36, Pollard 40, van Poortvliet 43, Clare 72,...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoAlex Dombrandt leads the fight for Harlequins
By Gary Fitzgerald Harlequins .................. 53pts Tries: Murley 12, 64, 66; Care 29, Dombrandt 36, 52, 57; Riley 78 Conversions: Smith...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoRoebuck the star as Sale cruise in
By ROSS HEPPENSTALL Sale ................................................................. 29pts Tries: J-L du Preez 19, Roebuck 34, Carpenter 51, Curry 60 Conversions: R du Preez...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoBordeaux score 26 unanswered points to shock Ulster
By Kevin Fallon Ulster ................. 19pts Tries: Izuchukwu 7, Timoney 19, Kok 40 Conversions: Doak 8, 20 Bordeaux ..........40pts Tries: Tatafu...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoWe’ve got our bite back – Alex Sanderson
Sale DoR Alex Sanderson said after the match: “We just wanted to be on it for longer defensively this week. "We...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoFrench flair is too much for Bristol Bears
By Mark Stevens La Rochelle ................. 35pts Tries: Nowell 17, Latu 28, Botia 51, Seuteni 66, Berjon 79 Conversions: West 18,...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoRob Baxter staying positive ahead of daunting test against Toulouse
Henry Slade returns to steer Exeter from fly-half as one of five changes after being rested for their opening Pool 1...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoSlade: We have to be all in this together
By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW... Exeter Chiefs v Toulouse Today. Kick-off 5.30pm, Sandy Park THE importance of playing what’s in front of...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoRing fence has made English rugby go soft
By Nick Cain - Read his expert opinion every week The most positive aspect to come out of the opening round...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoCalls for change gather support
THE process of convening an SGM of the RFU is a convoluted procedural affair, and this could be a useful ally...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoBattling Bath looking to revive cup campaign
By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW... Benetton v Bath Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stadio di Monigo Ready for action: Vilikesa Sela and, right, Tommaso...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoThe global travellers who light up game
By Chris Hewett - Thinking Allowed There is nothing especially funny about short-term memory loss, but it may just have an...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoLeinster have got the best in Barrett
FOR reasons best known to themselves, the Irish rugby cognoscenti are still arguing the toss over the whys and wherefores of...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoTaulupe Faletau sets the standard
By Roger Panting Cardiff........................... 26pts Tries: Adams 17, 56, Bowen 47, Penalty 68 Conversions: Sheedy 47, 56 Cheetahs....................... 10pts Try: de...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoLions outlast Pau in 80-point thriller
The Lions got off the mark in the Challenge Cup with a win against Section Paloise in a 10-try thriller that...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoLyon edge past Zebre to continue perfect start
Beka Saginadze scored a late try to continue Lyon’s dominant start to their campaign with back-to-back wins. Scrum-half Esteban Gonzalez went...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoCian Prendergast takes reins
By Ben Jaycock PREVIEW... Perpignan v Connacht Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stade Aimé Giral Connacht captain Cian Prendergast returns to lead his...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoOff-target Gloucester get lesson in finishing
By Luke Jarmyn Vannes................................ 43pts Tries: Benmegal 2, 46; Ruru 4, 10; Chateau 65, Blanchard 70 Conversions: Lafage 3, 5, 47,...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoWe were a bit Keystone Kops against Pau – Diamond
By PAUL REES PREVIEW... Newcastle v Dragons Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, Kingston Park NEWCASTLE are aiming for their fifth straight home victory...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoCastres vs Munster – Champions Cup Preview
By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Munster, fresh from a resounding victory last week, will travel to France to take on Castres...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoSale Sharks vs Racing 92 – Match Betting Preview
The second week of the Champions Cup begins with an exhilarating Friday night clash at the Salford Community Stadium, where Sale...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoRonan O’Gara would ‘bite hands off’ for top Test coach role – but not Wales job
Ronan O’Gara says there are international jobs he would “bite people’s hands off for” as he underlined a burning desire to...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoChampions Cup Team of the Week: Jordie Barrett has perfect Leinster start
By Charlie Elliott The opening weekend of Champions Cup action did not disappoint, with the best of Europe and South Africa...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoJack Nowell: I’m loving life on and off the pitch at La Rochelle
By Brendan McGilligan As Jack Nowell stepped off the plane to start his La Rochelle career, he was stepping into the...
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Champions Cup
/ 12 months agoI’d rather have the old Champions Cup format – Stuart McCloskey
Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey admits he preferred the Champions Cup’s previous format, with the current structure leaving some teams with an...
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