The 2024-25 Investec European Rugby Champions Cup will kick off on 6 December as Bathtub host La Rochelle on the Rec.
The season is scheduled to run till 24 Could 2025. The defending champions, France’s Toulouse, will look to defend their crown towards one of the best groups from their Prime 14, England’s Premiership and the United Rugby Championship (URC) that includes golf equipment from South Africa, Eire, Scotland and Italy.
Beforehand the Heineken Cup, it’s successfully the top-tier European rugby match – just like soccer’s UEFA Champions League. Nevertheless, groups from South Africa have additionally participated because the 2022-23 season.
Season dates: 6 December 2024 – 24 Could 2025
That includes: The highest golf equipment from England (Premiership), France (Prime 14), Eire, Italy, Scotland, South Africa (all URC)
Variety of groups: 24 – See right here for all groups
Format: Pool stage & knockout – 4 swimming pools of 6 groups every; high 4 advance to spherical of 16
Fixtures/scores and Tables
Most of the high worldwide gamers from around the globe will probably be in motion. We have picked out seven for followers to look at.
Siya Kolisi (Sharks/South Africa – Flanker)
Springbok captain Kolisi rejoined the Sharks from France’s Racing 92 in September. Aged 33, his time as one of many world’s finest gamers could also be restricted, however he’s definitely not missing any of the trademark depth and management that make him such a pleasure to look at.
Kolisi’s management by way of instance was evident within the Springboks’ run to the 2024 Rugby Championship title. Towards the All Blacks, he performed by way of a nasal fracture and scored the primary attempt of the sport within the 18-12 win in Cape City.
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England – Lock)
On the time of writing, Itoje isn’t within the biggest type of his life. In a way, that’s all of the extra purpose to concentrate to one of many biggest locks of his technology as he captains the Saracens.
After a tough 2024 with England, Saracens captain Itoje will probably be out to show that he’s nonetheless one of many fundamental males to be counted on forward of the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers/South Africa – Flyhalf)
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has develop into a brand new fan favorite for the Springboks, drawing cheers from Cape City crowds corresponding to Kolisi, who additionally spent his youth on the Stormers.
The seemingly long-term successor to Handrè Pollard at flyhalf for the Springboks, Feinberg-Mngomezulu obtained his worldwide profession off to a powerful begin. Nevertheless, he irked Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus by enjoying by way of a knee harm towards the All Blacks which he didn’t report back to his workforce.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu seems to be again to full well being now and will probably be seeking to cement his grip on South Africa’s no.10 jersey with a powerful displaying within the Champions Cup.
Antoine Dupont (Toulouse/France – Scrumhalf)
Toulouse gained the 2024 Champions Cup with a 31-22 win over Leinster after additional time. Captaining the French membership was their nationwide workforce’s star participant and arguably the most well liked prospect in world rugby at current, mercurial scrumhalf Antoine Dupont.
Dupont was excellent in final season’s ultimate and will probably be wanting to get his arms on extra silverware. France have gained three of the final 4 U20 World Championships however their dominance at that degree has but to translate to world rugby at senior degree. At each membership and worldwide degree, Dupont is the participant they may depend on to guide the revolution.
Caelan Doris (Leinster/Eire – Eighth man)
Eire captain Doris made the World Rugby Males’s 15s Dream Group of the Yr for the second yr in a row on the current World Rugby Awards.
He has gained Pro14 titles in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and Six Nations championships in 2023 and 2024. Nevertheless, he has but to win a Champions Cup or World Cup – two trophies which might validate his standing as one of many biggest eighth males of all time.
Leinster have recruited effectively with the likes of RG Snyman (lock, South Africa), Jordie Barrett (centre/fullback, New Zealand) and Rabah Slimani (prop, France) becoming a member of for this season. On the time of writing, they’ve an ideal six wins from six within the URC. They are going to be seeking to convert that kind right into a Champions Cup win.
Leinster’s final Champions Cup trophy was in 2017-18 and Doris will probably be one of many key gamers main the cost to deliver it again residence. With the British & Irish Lions captaincy up for grabs, he will probably be seeking to declare his stake.
Julián Montoya (Leicester/Argentina – Hooker)
Argentina are rising as a real drive in world rugby. On the current Rugby Championship, they solely narrowly missed out on second place to the All Blacks.
Hooker Montoya has been one of many key gamers behind their success. Aged 31, he nonetheless seemingly has loads to provide. The Leicester Tigers have benefitted vastly from his presence since signing him in 2021. Having been instrumental of their 2021-22 Premiership title domestically, Montoya will probably be out to deliver residence European honours.
Jordie Barrett (Leinster/New Zealand – Centre/Fullback)
One of the vital explosive and thrilling gamers in world rugby, Barrett is the youngest of three brothers who’ve outlined a technology in All Blacks rugby – the others being Beauden and Scott Barrett.
At worldwide degree, the World Cup has been elusive, though there have been a number of Rugby Championship triumphs even after the golden period of Riche McCaw and Dan Carter got here to an finish.
Significantly after dropping the Rugby Championship to the Springboks in 2024, Barrett can have an insatiable starvation for extra silverware. The Champions Cup marketing campaign with among the finest groups within the match gives the right alternative.
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