Champions Cup - Page 4 of 28

Tag: Champions Cup

Premiership previews: Round 11

5 January 2024 0 comments

Round 11 of the Premiership heralds the inaugural weekend of matches in 2024 with just three points separating the top six teams. Round ten smashed […]

Cabango’s out to leave injury woes behind him

31 December 2023 0 comments

By ROB COLE Speed merchant: Cardiff flyer Theo Cabango THEO Cabango is hoping his New Year’s wish comes true and he won’t have any more […]

Reasons to be cheerful for rugby’s year ahead

31 December 2023 0 comments

Paul Rees canvasses the views of Premiership directors of rugby and finds there is a fair amount of optimism IT IS another year the professional […]

Playing against best in the world is good test

31 December 2023 0 comments

NOW we’re into the second year of the expanded Champions Cup, I thought I’d reflect on just how the inclusion of South Africa’s finest club […]

Launchbury’s impressed by French fitness

31 December 2023 0 comments

TRP Podcast By NICK POWELL Joe Launchbury feels giant Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou’s form reflects a growing trend of Top 14 forwards adding fitness alongside […]

Simmonds is facing a fight for survival

31 December 2023 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN THE final weekend of 2023 – and we’re almost at the halfway point of the Top 14 season. There’s still a […]

Warr: It’s special to learn from the best

24 December 2023 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Sale Sharks Gus Warr believes that time spent rubbing shoulders and working with the likes of double World Cup winner Faf de […]

Big Game is next in line for upbeat Dombrandt

24 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Alex Dombrandt will enjoy a rare break over Christmas before returning to drive Harlequins’ twin assaults on the Premiership and the Champions […]

I can see why Dupont has gold in his sights

24 December 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK IT is very hard to think of France without Antoine Dupont as a driving force as both scrum-half […]

It’s been incredible to be here for so long

24 December 2023 0 comments

Jon Newcombe catches up with Saracens DoR Mark McCall, who has been the boss since 2011 With his 13th calendar year as director of rugby […]

Toulouse are the most entrancing side of them all

24 December 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED Dupont or no Dupont, Ntamack or no Ntamack, this latest edition of the Champions Cup may well turn out to be […]

Gorging on a Christmas feast of non-stop rugby

24 December 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT Rugby has always been a game of Big Ideas: Carwyn James, the patron saint of Stradey Park, was a thinker of weight and […]

The French out in front? That’s not how it looks

24 December 2023 0 comments

With 12 victories in 16 games, Paul Rees reflects on a promising start by English clubs in the Champions Cup It has been a chastening […]

Derby day double act for regions

24 December 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Fixtures: Tuesday December 26: Cardiff v Dragons, Kick-off 3pm Scarlets v Ospreys, Kick-off 5.15pm Boxing Day action sees back-to-back Welsh derbies as […]

Quins are in strong position, says Joe

24 December 2023 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Harlequins lock Joe Launchbury feels it’s crucial his team display strong form over the festive period as they strive to adapt their […]

O’Gara’s problems keep on coming

24 December 2023 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Australian hooker Tolu Latu went straight into La Rochelle’s matchday squad for pre-Christmas trip to Stade Francais, days after completing a […]

Series 3, Episode 19: Champions Cup recap and Big Game preview with Joe Launchbury

20 December 2023 0 comments

The Rugby Paper Podcast’s final episode of 2023 looks back at two thrilling weekends of Champions Cup action as well as looking ahead to the […]

Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Sunday round-up

18 December 2023 0 comments

Narrow victories for Exeter and Leicester ensured English teams came away with more wins than losses on a second-straight weekend of Champions Cup action. Although, […]

Chief Yeandle still has a lot more to offer

17 December 2023 0 comments

Mark Stevens talks to one of Exeter’s elder statesmen When it comes to Exeter’s biggest triumphs, he’s the Chief often front and centre in all […]

Caulfield loving life back with the Bears

17 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Josh Caulfield grew up supporting Bristol and the second row’s despair in the summer when London Irish collapsed turned to elation when […]

Russell: I’ve come here to win titles

17 December 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE While Henry Arundell has chosen to stay at Racing 92 and turn down a move to Bath, Finn Russell is in no […]

Freeman’s switch to 13 has sparked Borthwick’s interest

17 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Northampton’s decision to turn Tommy Freeman into a 13 this season has been far from unlucky for the 22-year old who had […]

Ewers happy to take on new challenge

17 December 2023 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS For years the imposing figure of Dave Ewers made a habit of steamrollering his way around Premiership pitches up and down the […]

Gonzalez is enjoying his new lease of life

17 December 2023 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Saracens …………………….. 55pts Tries: Gonzalez 7; George 32,40, Hartley 42, 63, Maitland 54, Cinti 56, Dan 70 Conversions: Farrell 43, 55, 64 […]

Connacht holding on to the positives

17 December 2023 0 comments

CONNACHT head coach Pete Wilkins praised his side’s never-say-attitude as they grabbed a bonus point to keep their knockout hopes alive. After the 41-5 smashing […]

Regard has the final word for Lyon in pulsating win over the Bulls

17 December 2023 0 comments

By ALFIE ROSE Lyon………………..29pts Tries: Dumortier 22, Pacheco 38, Parisien 45, Charcosset 61, Regard 71 Conversions: Page-Relo 23, Jackson 62 Bulls ……………….28pts Tries: Burger 1, […]

Bordeaux put Bears through the mixer

17 December 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Bordeaux…………………….. 36pts Tries: Lucu 4, Bielle-Biarrey 16, Penaud 32, Tapuai 55, Nanette 66 Conversions: Lucu 5, 33, 56; Jalibert 67 Penalties: Lucu […]

Lam: I’m proud of how we played

17 December 2023 0 comments

ALTHOUGH his team were well beaten, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam was pleased with much of what he saw. He said: “I’m very proud […]

Lockett’s late score has Saints believing

17 December 2023 0 comments

ROB WILDMAN Northampton………………. 22pts Tries: Seabrook 6, Furbank 28, 57; Lockett 77 Conversions: Smith 77 Toulon …………………………..19pts Tries: Jaminet 54, Ribbans 65 Penalties: Herve 5, […]

Warriors win ugly to keep Euro hopes alive

17 December 2023 0 comments

■By BRYN PALMER Bayonne………… 11pts Try: Bosch 33 Penalties: Lopez 28, 49 Glasgow…………12pts Tries: Miller 37, McKay 56 Conversion: Thompson 38 GLASGOW’S Champions Cup hopes […]

Baxter: We must be ready for war

17 December 2023 0 comments

■By MARK STEVENS PREVIEW… Exeter v Munster Today, kick-off 1pm Sandy Park Delight: Exeter celebrate their last-gasp win in Toulon PICTURE: Alamy ROB Baxter this […]

Dungeon of obscurity needs to be shut

17 December 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT Barely able to buy a round of drinks, let alone a win – the good men and true of Kingsholm are up against […]

La Rochelle beaten again as Libbok lands 81st-minute conversion

17 December 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Stormers………..21pts Tries: Loader 52, Venter 79 Conversions: Libbok 81 Penalties: Libbok 36, 41, 44 La Rochelle……20pts Tries: Kerr-Barlow 7, Tanga 46 Conversions: […]

Morgan rested as Booth makes changes for Ospreys’ French test

17 December 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK THE Ospreys go into today’s trip to Top 14 basement side Montpellier without Wales captain Jac Morgan, who is rested. Ospreys head […]

Setting the agenda for rugby

17 December 2023 1 comment

Paul Rees looks ahead to the issues that will be addressed in this week’s meeting of the Premiership’s top men The 10 Premiership directors of […]

Ryan has to wise up and show respect

17 December 2023 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Maybe one day James Ryan will find it in him to send a note of gratitude to […]

Skinner staying at Edinburgh

17 December 2023 0 comments

Scotland lock Sam Skinner has agreed to sign on at Edinburgh for another two years, opting for loyalty rather than a lucrative move to the […]

French giants are the ones to beat again, says O’Driscoll

17 December 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Three-time Champions Cup winner Brian O’Driscoll believes English sides will be up against it again in Europe this season when the tournament […]

Llandovery made to fight all the way

17 December 2023 0 comments

Premiership round-up By ANDY HOWELL LLANDOVERY remain top of the Premiership following a hard-fought 27-10 victory over Aberavon at Church Bank. The Drovers were made […]

What’s in The Rugby Paper: 17/12/23

15 December 2023 0 comments

Alongside a report from their Saturday night clash with Cardiff, we talk to Bath’s Finn Russell and how he’s moved to the ‘rugby mad city’ […]

Champions Cup round two Friday and Saturday preview

15 December 2023 0 comments

The 2023/24 Champions Cup began with a bang last weekend, showcasing thrilling moments and a remarkable start for English teams, as seven out of the […]

Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Sunday round-up

11 December 2023 0 comments

Sunday saw a fourth meeting in as many seasons of La Rochelle and Leinster in the Champions Cup, with their last two clashes both having […]

Quins stun Racing in Paris thriller

10 December 2023 0 comments

Racing 92…………………………….28 Tries: Le Garrec 15, 42; Gibert 40, Diallo 58 Conversions: Le Garrec 16, 40+1, 43, 59 Harlequins…………………………..31 Tries: Smith 22, Esterhuizen 25, Dombrandt […]

Vermeulen confident Chiefs will return to top

10 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Jacques Vermeulen is one of the old hands at Exeter following his arrival from South Africa in 2019 and after a summer […]

Dynamic duo put life back into Bath

10 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Ben Spencer has partnered two of the leading outside halves of their generation, Owen Farrell and Finn Russell, and although they have […]

Bristol looking to kick on

10 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES What a difference a win makes. Bristol’s frustrating run of five successive Premiership defeats, four by single figure margins, ended last weekend […]

French power will be so tough to overcome

10 December 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK English clubs are up against it in the Champions Cup because they are competing against French clubs which […]

Ice-cool Sheedy the hero for Bears

10 December 2023 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Bristol ………………………….. 36pts Tries: Lane 5, Luatua 23, Thacker 30, Randall 48, Oghre 53 Conversions: Sheedy 6, 24, 31, 49 Drop goals: […]

Rampant Bath storm to the winning post

10 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Bath ……………………………… 37pts Tries: Cokanasiga 27, 73; Dunn 45, du Toit 69, Gallagher 79 Conversions: Spencer 46, 70; Bailey 80 Penalties: Spencer […]

Russell: We must keep calm

10 December 2023 0 comments

FINN Russell urged Bath’s fans to be patient after they backed up last weekend’s big home victory against Exeter by overwhelming Ulster less than two […]

Tag: Champions Cup

Recent Posts

Search