The Heineken Champions Cup returns this weekend amidst coronavirus cancellation controversy.
The 2021/22 edition of the 24 team tournament begins at Northampton’s Franklin Gardens under the Friday night lights.
Can defending champions Toulouse win the tournament for a sixth time this season?
This years final will take place in Marseille on Saturday 28th May 2022.
In the Pool Stage of the tournament, Each club will play four matches during the pool stage, two at home and two away. Teams will be awarded four match points for a win, two match points for a draw. A bonus point will be awarded to a club scoring four or more tries and to a club losing by seven points or fewer.
Scarlets have been forced to concede their opening fixture with Bristol Bears due to player safety. The Welsh side pulled the plug on the fixture following a worry for the safety of their players as 32 of their squad are in mandatory isolation until Friday.
Isolation comes as a result of the ill fated United Rugby Championship fixtures that were due to be played in South Africa before the nation was placed on the United Kingdom’s red list. As per competition rules, Bristol Bears have been awarded 28-0 win and five competition points.
Friday
Northampton Saints v Racing 92
The Champions Cup opener see’s Northampton Saints host Racing 92. Northampton boss Chris Boyd has described Scotland star Finn Russell as “a bit of a magician” ahead of Friday’s Heineken Champions Cup opener against Racing 92.
Saints host the French heavyweights in what should be an intriguing contest, with Boyd’s team looking to make an immediate statement.
And while Racing’s recent domestic form is poor – three successive Top 14 defeats since beating Toulouse last month – their European pedigree is unquestioned.
Despite never winning the tournament, the Parisians have huge European pedigree. They have been finalists three times in the past five years. Racing’s new kit for the competition would look at home on the Paris catwalk as it would at Franklins Gardens on Friday night. See below:
Here’s how the two teams line up on Friday night:
Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Skosan; Biggar, Mitchell; Waller, Matavesi, Painter, Ribbans, Moon, Wilkins, Ludlam (capt), Augustus.
Replacements: Fish, Auterac, Hill, Ratuniyarawa, Coles, James, Litchfield, Sleightholme.
Racing 92: Beale; Thomas, Vakatawa, Fickou (c), Imhoff; Russell, Machenaud; Gogichashvili, Baubigny, Oz; Jones, Le Roux; Diallo, Lauret, Tanga.
Replacements: Chat, Ben Arous, Gomes Sa, Bresler, Chouzenoux, Gibert, Chavancy, Taofifenua.
Saturday
Cardiff Blues v Toulouse
Defending champions Toulouse travel to the Welsh capital to face a heavily depleted Cardiff side. 32 Cardiff players and most the coaching staff will miss Saturday’s encounter due to coronavirus isolation following the ill-fated trip to South Africa.
Caretaker boss Gruff Rees said: “We have a slightly misfit group coming together.”
“There’s less pressure, but we’ve got that responsibility that whoever is on the field we are representing a great rugby club in a great competition.”
Fortunately, Cardiff will be boosted by the return of Wales internationals Ellis Jenkins, Josh Adams, Willis Halaholo, Tomos Williams, Dillon Lewis and Seb Davies – who were left behind by Cardiff after the autumn internationals.
The rest of the squad is made up of youngsters and Welsh Premiership side Cardiff RFC players. Cardiff RFC’s fixture with Llanelli RFC has been postponed. Cardiff have registered seven new players Five of the new recruits are from the front row, with hooker duo Alun Rees and Evan Yardley regulars for the ‘Rags’ in the Premiership Cup this season.
Aberavon props Geraint James and Rowan Jenkins are also included, with the latter having featured for Cardiff Rugby A in the past, while Cardiff Met’s Joe Cowell completes the front row rank.
Cardiff RFC back row Alex Everett, who has skippered the Rags this season, is also named alongside scrum half Tom Habberfield, who has previous Heineken Champions Cup experience from his time with Ospreys.
Five time winners Toulouse once start the tournament as defending champions, after defeating fellow French side La Rochelle in last seasons final.
Leinster v Bath
Premiership strugglers Bath Rugby travel to United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster. The Irish side are heavy favourites following Bath’s dismal form this term. Could Europe be a beacon of hope for Bath after a torrid time in the Gallagher Premiership?
Leinster were knocked out at the semi-final stage by La Rochelle last term. The four time champions will be bolstered by the return of their Irish internationals.
Bath Rugby’s Director of Rugby Stuart Hooper told the club website: “It’s definitely an exciting opportunity. This is a group of young men who are experiencing tough things at the moment, but they are still ambitious and still excited to go and play in one of the best arenas against one of the best teams.”
Bordeaux v Leicester Tigers
Gallagher Premiership leaders Leicester Tigers travel to Top 14 leaders Bordeaux in the weekends bumper game.
Bordeaux sit just two points clear of second place Toulouse. Leicester Tigers narrowly overcame Harlequins on Sunday, with Sale Sharks bound George Ford impressing.
Exeter Chiefs v Montpellier
The late kick off comes from the South West as French side Montpellier travel to Sandy Park in a tasty affair. Exeter are looking to reclaim their European crowd this year.
Chiefs go into the European tie full of confidence following a brilliant 18-15 victory over Saracens last weekend.
Exeter fly half Harvey Skinner told The Rugby Paper: “In Europe, we need to keep the same mentality as we did against Saracens last weekend.
“Against the French teams, they’ll dominate you if you aren’t on it. You want to keep that performance at the same level as it was against Saracens.”
Montpellier currently sit third in the French Top 14, seven points off top spot.
Sunday’s Champions Cup previews will be published in Sunday’s The Rugby Paper and will be available on the website from Sunday morning.
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