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The Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals - who plays who and where
Sean Cronin scored a try in each half as Leinster secured top spot in Pool 1 and a home Champions Cup quarter-final tie with Ulster thanks to Sunday’s 37-19 win at Wasps.
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The holders knew defeat at the Ricoh Arena would open the door for Toulouse to snatch first place in the group and a more favourable last-eight meeting.
But those fears were essentially calmed by half-time as Leinster took a 20-0 lead into the interval thanks to tries from Garry Ringrose, who powered across the line underneath the posts, and hooker Cronin, who benefitted from his pack’s stellar work at a rolling maul.
Nathan Hughes, whom it was announced earlier this week would leave Wasps for Bristol Bears at the end of the season, got the hosts on the board in the second period but another driving maul saw Cronin double his tally.
Dan Robson pulled Wasps back to within two scores shortly after the hour but Leinster showed their class and a fine move through the hands released Noel Reid to secure the bonus point – Marcus Watson’s late score for the home side proving immaterial.
The defending champions finish top of Pool 1 ?@leinsterrugby overpower @WaspsRugby in a try-filled fixture as they earn themselves a home quarter final ?
Moment of the match? #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/zqHZjABtNf
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 20, 2019
Victory sees Leinster qualify as the third seed while Toulouse, who won 20-17 at home to Bath, advance as the seventh-ranked side and face a trip to Top 14 rivals Racing 92.
Toulouse were in command at the break, leading 17-3 courtesy of scores from Joe Tekori and Antoine Dupont.
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Although Bath hit back in the second period through Semesa Rokoduguni and Zach Mercer, Toulouse held on and can look forward to a last-eight trip to last year’s losing finalists in late March.
Champions Cup quarter-finals:
The qualifiers for the 2018/19 Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals and their rankings at the conclusion of the pool stage are as follows:
1 Saracens (winner Pool 3 – 28 points)
2 Racing 92 (winner Pool 4 – 26 points)
3 Leinster Rugby (winner Pool 1 – 25 points)
4 Edinburgh Rugby (winner Pool 5 – 23 points)
5 Munster Rugby (winner Pool 2 – 21 points)
6 Ulster Rugby (best pool runner-up – 22 points)
7 Toulouse (second best pool runner-up – 21 points)
8 Glasgow Warriors (third best pool runner-up – 19 points)
The quarter-final matches to be played on 29/30/31 March are as follows:
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QF 1: Saracens v Glasgow Warriors, Allianz Park
QF 2: Edinburgh Rugby v Munster Rugby, BT Murrayfield
QF 3: Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Aviva Stadium
QF 4: Racing 92 v Toulouse, Paris La Défense Arena
https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1087040270926008320
Comments on RugbyPass
I wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
4 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to comments