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EPCR confirm Round-of-16 ties in both Challenge and Champions Cup
By Ian Cameron
Following the final weekend of pool games, the EPCR has confirmed the Round-of-16 fixtures for the Investec Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.
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Investec Champions Cup
Both Toulouse and Bordeaux caught the eye over the weekend with impressive demolitions of both Leicester Tigers and the Sharks respective, while pereninial finalists Leinster eventually put Bath to sword at the Aviva Stadium.
The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool have secured home advantage for the knockout stage.
The 16 qualifed Investec Champions Cup are ranked based on pool stage performance, with pool winners ranked 1 to 4, second-placed teams ranked 5 to 8, third-placed teams ranked 9 to 12, and fourth-placed teams ranked 13 to 16.
Union Bordeaux-Bègles face Ulster Rugby, Leinster Rugby host Harlequins and Northampton Saints take on ASM Clermont Auvergne. RC Toulon will meet Saracens, while Stade Toulousain face Sale Sharks.
Castres Olympique will go up against Benetton Rugby, Glasgow Warriors will host Leicester Tigers and Stade Rochelais will clash with Munster Rugby.
The Round-of-16 fixtures and seedings in brackets are as follows:
R16 1: Union Bordeaux-Bègles (1) v Ulster Rugby (16)
R16 2: Leinster Rugby (2) v Harlequins (15)
R16 3: Northampton Saints (3) v ASM Clermont Auvergne (14)
R16 4: RC Toulon (4) v Saracens (13)
R16 5: Stade Toulousain (5) v Sale Sharks (12)
R16 6: Castres Olympique (6) v Benetton Rugby (11)
R16 7: Glasgow Warriors (7) v Leicester Tigers (10)
R16 8: Stade Rochelais (8) v Munster Rugby (9)
The Round-of-16 is scheduled for the weekend of the 4th to 6th of April.
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Quarter-finals will follow on 11/12/13 April, with home advantage awarded to the higher-ranked teams from the pool stage.
The semi-finals are scheduled for 2/3/4 May, and the final will take place at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, 24 May, at 14:45 local time.
EPCR Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup knockout stage includes 16 teams, with rankings determined by pool standings and the addition of four clubs from the Champions Cup: Hollywoodbets Sharks, Bath Rugby, Vodacom Bulls, and Racing 92.
The Round-of-16 fixtures and the seedings are as follows:
R16 1: Connacht Rugby (1) v Cardiff Rugby (16)
R16 2: Montpellier Hérault Rugby (2) v Gloucester Rugby (15)
R16 3: Edinburgh Rugby (3) v Emirates Lions (14)
R16 4: Ospreys (4) v Scarlets (13)
R16 5: Lyon Olympique Universitaire (5) v Hollywoodbets Sharks (12)
R16 6: Aviron Bayonnais (6) v Vodacom Bulls (11)
R16 7: Section Paloise (7) v Bath Rugby (10)
R16 8: USAP (8) v Racing 92 (9)
Quarter-finals and semi-finals follow the same format as the Champions Cup, with the final scheduled for May.
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Exact dates and kick-off times for all fixtures will be announced shortly.
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So despite SA's school girl like crying (much the same as they did before fleeing Super Rugby with their tails between their legs after 9 winless years) no SA team makes the last 16. Amazing how neutral officiating reveals the true story.
Prospective Quarter/Semi finals/Final (If results go with seed):
QF1 Bordeaux v LaRoche
QF2 Toulon v Toulouse
SF 1 Bordeaux v Toulon/Toulouse)
QF3 Leinster v Glasgow
QF4 Northhampton v Castres
SF2 Leinster v Northhampton
FINAL: Bordeaux/Toulouse v Leinster CARDIFF
A great draw for Leinster's side of the draw. The Top 4 French clubs are on the far side.
Glasgow, Castres, Northhampton and Leinster are seeds on the other side.