Champions and Challenge Cups Quarter-Finals Announced

Nine former winners of EPCR’s two leading tournaments with as many as 22 titles between them are still in contention for European silverware as the journey to the Newcastle finals intensifies, and the knockout stages look set to deliver even more drama in front of packed stadiums.

Pool 5 winners, Edinburgh Rugby, take on Munster Rugby, who have reached the last eight for a record 18^th time, in the first of the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, 30 March.

This clash, which could attract a tournament record attendance for BT Murrayfield, will be live and free-to-air on Channel 4 and Virgin Media in the UK and Ireland, with an additional broadcast by BT Sport who are covering every quarter-final match live.

Next up on Saturday, 30 March, are No 1-ranked Saracens against Glasgow Warriors at Allianz Park and that match will be followed later in the same day by the all-Ireland confrontation of holders, Leinster Rugby, and a resurgent Ulster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium.

Then on Sunday, 31 March all eyes will turn to France when the 2018 defeated finalists and this season’s No 2 seeds, Racing 92, go head-to-head with four-time winners Toulouse at Paris La Défense Arena.

The quarter-finals weekend kicks off on Friday, 29 March with the first of the Challenge Cup matches between Sale Sharks and Connacht Rugby at the AJ Bell Stadium and the following evening, Worcester Warriors are up against three-time tournament winners, Harlequins, at Sixways.

On Sunday, 31 March, Bristol Bears face a demanding task when they travel to Stade Marcel Deflandre to take on La Rochelle, and later that evening, Stade Marcel-Michelin will be at boiling point for the meeting of No 1-ranked ASM Clermont Auvergne and Northampton Saints.

CHAMPIONS CUP quarter-finals

(All kick-offs local time)

Saturday 30 March
QF 2: Edinburgh Rugby v Munster Rugby, BT Murrayfield (12.45) Channel 4 / Virgin Media / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
QF 1: Saracens v Glasgow Warriors, Allianz Park (15.15) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
QF 3: Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Aviva Stadium (17.45) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS

Sunday 31 March
QF 4: Racing 92 v Toulouse, Paris La Défense Arena (16.15) FR 2 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport

Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1: Saracens v Glasgow Warriors will play the winner of QF 2: Edinburgh Rugby v Munster Rugby
Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3: Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby will play the winner of QF 4: Racing 92 v Toulouse
(Matches to be played on 20/21 April)

2019 Champions Cup final: Saturday 11 May; St James’ Park, Newcastle (17.00)

CHALLENGE CUP quarter-finals

(All kick-offs local time)

Friday 29 March
QF 3: Sale Sharks v Connacht Rugby, AJ Bell Stadium (19.45); BT Sport / beIN SPORTS

Saturday 30 March
QF 2: Worcester Warriors v Harlequins, Sixways (20.15) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS

Sunday 31 March
QF 4: La Rochelle v Bristol Bears, Stade Marcel Deflandre (13.45) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport
QF 1: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Northampton Saints (19.00) FR 4 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport

Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Northampton Saints will play the winner of QF 2: Worcester Warriors v Harlequins
Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3: Sale Sharks v Connacht Rugby will play the winner of QF 4: La Rochelle v Bristol Bears

(Matches to be played on 19/20/21 April)

2019 Challenge Cup final: Friday 10 May; St James’ Park, Newcastle (19.45)