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14:05

Exeter given added incentive to beat Northampton as Champions Cup officials change semi-final stadium rules

By Online Editors

16 Sep 2020

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Champions Cup officials have confirmed changes have been made to their 2019/20 semi-final format, with clubs such as Exeter Chiefs now allowed to play these matches at their home ground rather than at a neutral venue in their country.

Semi-finals have been played at a variety of venues in recent times. For instance, defending champions Saracens defeated Munster at Coventry in 2019 rather than in London, Racing beat Munster in Bordeaux in 2018 instead of Paris, and Munster lost their 2017 home semi to Saracens in Dublin.

However, the path has now been cleared for all teams to be able to play at home, a luxury only ever technically enjoyed by the likes of Leinster and Toulouse who have traditionally moved their semi-finals to bigger, familiar grounds nearby in their cities.

The Rugby Pod has its say on the red card tackle that has ruled Saracens’ Owen Farrell out of this weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-final at Leinster

Both of the delayed 2019/20 season’s semi-final will take place on Saturday, September 26, a week after this weekend’s quarter-finals.

The winners of Leinster v Saracens and Clermont v Racing 92 Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals will meet in the first semi-final, with the second later that day featuring the winners of Exeter v Northampton and Toulouse v Ulster.

It's knockouts time 😍@leinsterrugby 🤜🤛 @Saracens @ASMOfficiel 🤜🤛 @racing92 @StadeToulousain 🤜🤛 @UlsterRugby @ExeterChiefs 🤜🤛 @SaintsRugby
Which will be the highest scoring #HeinekenChampionsCup quarter-final this weekend? pic.twitter.com/Hc7mjwOulA
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) September 14, 2020

On an exceptional basis to facilitate the conclusion of the season, EPCR have confirmed that the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage in the semi-finals.

In the Challenge Cup, the winners of Bristol v Dragons and Bordeaux v Edinburgh will play their semi-final on Friday, September 25, with the winners of Toulon v Scarlets and Leicester v Castres meeting the next day.

The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage, as per the traditional Challenge Cup format.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP SEMI-FINALS – Saturday 26 September

SF 1: Winner Leinster/Saracens v winner Clermont /Racing 92
Kick-off: 13.00 UK-Irish time or 14.00 French time

SF 2: Winner Exeter/Northampton v winner Toulouse/Ulster Rugby
Kick-off: 15.30 UK-Irish time or 16.30 French time

Semi-final 1
If Leinster (ranked No1) and Clermont (ranked No4) win their quarter-finals, Leinster will have home venue advantage
If Leinster (ranked No1) and Racing 92 (ranked No5) win their quarter-finals, Leinster will have home venue advantage
If Clermont (ranked No4) and Saracens (ranked No8) win their quarter-finals, Clermont will have home venue advantage
If Racing 92 (ranked No5) and Saracens (ranked No8) win their quarter-finals, Racing will have home venue advantage

Semi-final 2
If Exeter (ranked No2) and Toulouse (ranked No 3) win their quarter-finals, Exeter will have home venue advantage
If Exeter (ranked No2) and Ulster (ranked No 6) win their quarter-finals, Exeter will have home venue advantage
If Toulouse (ranked No3) and Northampton (ranked No 7) win their quarter-finals, Toulouse will have home venue advantage
If Ulster (ranked No6) and Northampton (ranked No 7) win their quarter-finals, Ulster will have home venue advantage

CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINALS

Friday 25 September
SF 2: Winner Bristol/Dragons v winner Bordeaux/Edinburgh
Kick-off: 19.45 UK time or 20.45 French time

Saturday 26 September
SF 1: Winner Toulon/Scarlets v winner Leicester/Castres
Kick-off: 20.00 UK time or 21.00 French time

Semi-final 1
If Toulon (ranked No1) and Leicester (ranked No4) win their quarter-finals, Toulon will have home venue advantage
If Toulon (ranked No1) and Castres (ranked No5) win their quarter-finals, Toulon will have home venue advantage
If Leicester (ranked No4) and Scarlets (ranked No8) win their quarter-finals, Leicester will have home venue advantage
If Castres (ranked No5) and Scarlets (ranked No8) win their quarter-finals, Castres will have home venue advantage

Semi-final 2
If Bristol (ranked No2) and Bordeaux (ranked No3) win their quarter-finals, Bristol will have home venue advantage
If Bristol (ranked No2) and Edinburgh (ranked No6) win their quarter-finals, Bristol will have home venue advantage
If Bordeaux (ranked No3) and Dragons (ranked No7) win their quarter-finals, Bordeaux-Bègles will have home venue advantage
If Edinburgh (ranked No6) and Dragons (ranked No7) win their quarter-finals, Edinburgh will have home venue advantage

Notes
• The Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-finals in England and Ireland are currently scheduled to be played behind closed doors.
• Attendances for quarter-finals in France will be limited and clubs can apply to their local authorities for increases.

This Leinster side deserved a flashier denouement to their unbeaten campaign but their dominance of the PRO14 isn't necessarily a negative, argues @heagneyl 👨‍💻https://t.co/jRnY80TkpY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 13, 2020

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 2 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 2 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 2 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 2 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍