European Rugby Returns: Full Schedule for Champions and Challenge Cup Round of 16 - Ruck
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European Rugby Returns: Full Schedule for Champions and Challenge Cup Round of 16

27 March 2023
Tom Sansom

European rugby is set to return this weekend, with the Round of 16 lighting up the competition with knock-out rugby. The tournament will be re-ignited after the pool stages, as the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup both enter the next chapter.

With club rugby’s pinnacle competitions picking up from where they left off in January, here is everything you need to know, to schedule your weekend of rugby action. All the matches will be shown on BT Sport in the UK, and beIN Sports, SuperSport, FloRugby and selected matches shown on FranceTV.

Heineken Champions Cup – Round of 16

The Heineken Cup Trophy before the Heineken Champions Cup match between London Irish and Montpellier at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 9 December 2022 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)

Friday 31st March

Leicester Tigers v Edinburgh Rugby – 20:00 KO, Welford Road

Freddie Steward of Leicester Tigers during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on 11 June. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Saturday 1st April

Cell C Sharks v Munster Rugby – 13:30 KO, Kings Park

DHL Stormers v Harlequins – 16:00 KO, DHL Stadium

Stephan Lewies, Captain of Harlequins waves to fans after the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins at Sandy Park on 4th June 2022. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby – 17:30 KO, Aviva Stadium

Stade Rochelais v Gloucester Rugby – 18:30 KO, Stade Marcel Deflandre

Sunday 2nd April

Try Celebrations for Jack Nowell of Exeter Chiefs during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A match between Exeter Chiefs and Castres Olympique at Sandy Park, Exeter on 21st January 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Exeter Chiefs v Montpellier Hérault Rugby – 12:30 KO, Sandy Park

Saracens v Ospreys – 15:00 KO, Stone X Stadium

Stade Toulousain v Vodacom Bulls – 16:00 KO, Le Stadium

With the ninth and tenth placed finishers in the Champions Cup Pools dropping down into the EPCR Challenge Cup, the draw for that competition has also been locked in. Full match coverage of the Challenge Cup won’t be shown on BT Sports, but will be available on Viaplay-Premier Sports, beIN Sports, SuperSport, FloRugby and selected matches also shown on FranceTV.

Montpellier Captain’s Run, Twickenham, London, England 20/5/2021 A view of the Challenge Cup Trophy Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan/PPAUK

Lyon, Racing 92, Clermont Auvergne and Sale Sharks all drop into the EPCR Challenge Cup, with the round of 16 lining up as follows:

Sale Sharks player Tom O’Flaherty passes during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs at the AJ Bell Stadium on October 1st. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK

EPCR Challenge Cup – Round of 16

Friday 31st March

Bristol Bears v ASM Clermont Auvergne – 20:00 KO, Ashton Gate

Scarlets v CA Brive – 20:00 KO, Parc Y Scarlets

Harry Thacker of Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Bristol Bears and Harlequins at Ashton Gate on 19 Jun. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Saturday 1st April

RC Toulon v Toyota Cheetahs – 13:30 KO, Stade Felix Mayol

Stade Francais Paris v Lyon – 16:00 KO, Stade Jean Bouin

Try Celebrations for Dylan Cretin of Lyon during the European Champions Cup Match between Exeter Chiefs and Lyon at Sandy Park on 3 April 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/ppauk

Benetton Rugby v Connacht Rugby – 16:00 KO, Stadio Comunale di Monigo

Glasgow Warriors v Dragons RFC – 17:00 KO, Scotstoun Stadium

Emirates Lions v Racing 92 – 18:30 KO, Emirates Airline Park

17.09.14 – Cardiff Blues – Cardiff Arms Park. © Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff Rugby v Sale Sharks – 20:00 KO, Cardiff Arms Park