Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 qualifiers reviewed
- Updated: 20/01/2025
By Frank Quinn
WHAT a feast of world class rugby we had at the week-end! Now it is down to the knock-out stages which begin in April.
Qualifiers 16 : Clubs by Country: France 6, England 5, Ireland 3, (Our three are ranked: 2, 9 & 16 ) Italy 1, and Scotland 1, details below
This gives us some idea of the challenge for the upcoming 6N.
We have the top two countries with the most qualifier clubs at home in the Aviva for the Six nations. We play host to England in the first game (Saturday February 1 st). and later to France. it is just to puts you on notice of what to expect – we have three qualifiers but how you can qualify for anything in an international competition by winning one game out of four at the pool stages like Ulster did. Other clubs had similar dismal records and qualified for the second competition – the Challenge Cup.
Not much rugby sense in that, 24 starters at the pool stage and 20 go through,not very selective, why have a pool stage – just have a 20 qualifier stage. The results have shown up the difference in quality, which is hardly acceptable
Just a note to Simon re his selection of the Irish training group for the 6N. (off to Portugal for some training) the Clubs have produced your players – so hand them back in the same condition for this Champions , Cup in April.
The 6N. With the Investec results it looks like France are very strong in numbers and also form in the Autumn Internationals – they look the team to beat but we have them at home so that instils some confidence with our efforts.
You cannot ignore the other facts here – there are no Welsh Clubs in the Qualifiers and only one from Italy and Scotland. The talent is badly divided (maybe the money is too).
Put this on your back boiler and I will remind you again about the Investec Cup after the 6N has completed in mid March.
Following the conclusion of the Investec Champions Cup pool stage, Confirmation of the clubs which have qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament.
The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool have secured their places in the Round of 16 and the two highest-ranked clubs in each pool will have home advantage for the matches which will be played on the weekend of 4/5/6 April.
In accordance with the tournament rules, the pool winners have been ranked 1 to 4, the second-placed clubs have been ranked 5 to 8, the third-placed clubs have been ranked 9 to 12, and the fourth-placed clubs have been ranked 13 to 16.
The following fifth-placed clubs in each pool have qualified for the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup:
Pool 1: Hollywoodbets Sharks
Pool 2: Bath Rugby
Pool 3: Vodacom Bulls
Pool 4: Racing 92
The exact dates and kick-off times of the Round of 16 fixtures will be announced as soon possible.
INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP
Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April, Leinster at home. Munster and Ulster on the plane to France
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)
NB The clubs ranked numbers 1 to 8 will have home venue advantage
Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April
QF 1: Winner R16 1 v Winner R16 8
QF 2: Winner R16 2 v Winner R16 7
QF 3: Winner R16 3 v Winner R16 6
QF 4: Winner R16 4 v Winner R16 5
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage
Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 4
SF 2: Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 3
NB The matches will be played in Europe and where relevant the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage
2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday 24 May; Principality Stadium, Cardiff (14.45 local time)
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