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Combat resumes in the Heineken Champions Cup this weekend, with a new format set to play out for the first time in Europe’s flagship tournament.
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For the first time in the competition’s history, the Round of 16 will be played over two legs. Aggregate scores will determine the winners with the four highest-ranked clubs from each pool having earned home advantage in the second leg matches.
The qualifiers for the Round of 16 have a total of 28 European titles between them.
Six former tournament winners – Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Leinster Rugby, Munster Rugby, Stade Toulousain and Ulster Rugby – remain in contention to lift the coveted silverware in Marseille next month.
There’s just one Welsh side left in either of the two competitions, with Cardiff qualifying for the Challenge Cup Round of 16. The former champions made it via the pool stage back door.
The EPCR have released a selection of statistics ahead of the resumption of the Heineken Champions Cup this weekend and there’s some cracker in there.
The in-form Ulster full back, Michael Lowry, leads the tournament statistics in three categories: metres (563), defenders beaten (23) and line breaks (8).
Lowry’s teammate, Nick Timoney, has made the most tackles do date with 61.
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Grégory Alldritt of last season’s defeated finalists, Stade Rochelais, and Ulster’s James Hume are the joint-best offloaders with seven apiece.
Marcus Smith of Harlequins, who travel to Montpellier Hérault, is the tournament’s leading scorer with 46 points going into the knockout stage while Exeter Chiefs’ Sam Simmonds heads the try-scoring charts with an impressive seven from his four matches.
Extra time and, if necessary, a place kick competition will feature in the event of tied matches during the knockout stage of the tournament with the exception of this weekend’s first leg fixtures.
Freddie Burns of Leicester Tigers, who has previously featured with Bath and Gloucester, needs five points to reach 250 tournament points.
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Simon Zebo’s two tries in Munster’s Round 4 win against Wasps lifted his career total for the Heineken Champions Cup to 34, moving him ahead of Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s leading try scorer in the tournament. Chris Ashton, now with Leicester Tigers, continues to lead the way on 40.
Following the conclusion of the Heineken Champions Cup pool stage, six clubs qualified for the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16: Cardiff Rugby, Wasps, Castres Olympique, Glasgow Warriors, Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
13 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
13 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
13 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
13 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
13 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
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