Heineken Cup

CHRIS FOY: The Heineken Champions Cup was already hard enough to win, but teams will have to overcome gruelling logistical challenges now South African ...

They can finish near the top of the pile in Pool A after winnable home-and-away games against Edinburgh and Lyon. They meet in the heat and humidity of Durban on Saturday. The French Top 14 is likely to supply many of the leading contenders again — notably La Rochelle, Toulouse, Racing and perhaps Montpellier.

Antoine dupont shares his opini on the inclusion on South African sides joining the 2023 champions cup competition.

This gives a clear indication that the European sides will have a real challenge in this top tier competition. “The last time Toulouse travelled to a full Thomond Park, it didn’t go very well. “We feel that there is an excitement, a particular flavour,” said Dupont.

Former Springboks prop Robbi Kempson says South African teams must embrace playing in the Champions Cup, Europe's premium continental club competition.

They are used to their internationals going straight to the Champions Cup. “The players and coaches of the South African teams should be thankful that they will manage to play in that type of competition. The South African franchises should be looking forward to it. Over the years, South African players have lit up the Champions Cup, playing a key role in it establishing itself as a major competition in the professional rugby sphere. I wanted to be in the European Cup. It is a competition that is extremely tough and all the best players in the world want to play in it.

Antoine Dupont has insisted that the Heineken Champions Cup is a new competition due to the introduction of South African teams.

But it’s a bit hard to understand. It’s a new competition now. “For purists, it’s a bit difficult to grasp.

Three new teams from South Africa in the Champions Cup this year but the French remain the dominant force.

Having lost in three top-tier finals between 2016 and 2020, they would love to send Laurent Travers to the presidency with a trophy. They are just behind all-conquering Leinster in the URC, having appeared to acclimatise to different conditions, and have a phalanx of ferocious back-rowers including Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink and Marcell Coetzee. There seems to be a determination about Saracens as they come back to Europe’s top table for the first time since 2020. They have rolled out their big guns for the visit of Harlequins, though, with Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth among a host of Springboks starting. They upset Saracens in the Challenge Cup last season and will be aiming for a repeat. Even without Frans Malherbe and Evan Roos this weekend, they have fearful muscle with Steven Kitshoff spearheading the scrum. In Beka Saghinadze, the relentless back-rower, they have another Georgia star to go with France internationals like Romain Taofifénua and blockbuster tackle-breakers such as Josua Tuisova. Antoine Frisch, the former Bristol Bears centre, has been a fine signing and Gavin Coombes is developing into a totemic back-rower. The trouble is that they have been drawn against Leinster. They were, however, encouragingly resolute on the recent South African tour and host Leicester Tigers, themselves in a tricky patch, first up. Rory Kockott, a prime pantomime villain, is out of retirement and has been re-registered because of injuries to Santiago Arata and Jérémy Fernandez. They are languishing in seventh spot on the Premiership ladder.

There's an uncanny irony in the Anglo-French dominated EPCR kicking off its curtailed, remodelled Heineken Champions Cup in its now delayed December start ...

But while it’s hard to forecast the make-up of the Last 16, the advantages of securing as high a seeding as possible would seem to be even more advantageous given that round is now over one leg. Against that, given this is Stuart Lancaster’s last season as head coach and almost certainly Johnny Sexton’s last Euro campaign as a player, were they not to earn that coveted fifth star, a return of one title since 2012 will seem even more of a disappointment. The Challenge Cup has been skewed by the absence of Wasps and Worcester, leaving Connacht in the 10-team Pool A as opposed to the eight-team Pool B. On that basis, losing one or two pool games, or even three for that matter, is not as costly as in the old format. The Champions Cup’s impact in Ireland has been enhanced by the return of RTÉ for the first time since 2006 on the condition that their weekly game features an Irish side. As well as the three South African sides, three-time winners Saracens are also back. Witness Ulster winning all four pool games last season and drawing Toulouse, to be eliminated by 50-49 on aggregate. Andy Friend’s team have a mixed draw in hosting Newcastle at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm) before facing Brive away next Friday, with the return fixtures in January. The initial losers are the Celtic/Italian axis which previously had a guaranteed seven or eight qualifiers per season for the Champions Cup. Each team plays four pool matches against two opponents from different leagues and from the same 12-team pool, with the top eight advancing. The tournament’s borders have also expanded beyond its original European Cup iteration to welcome South African teams. Suffice to say, more Anglo-French eyes will be on Kylian Mbappé, Bukayo Saka and Co.

As the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup get underway on Friday evening, there is a wide range of opportunities for fans to tune into.

Fans have further access to the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup through the OTT platform, [HERE](https://www.florugby.com/collections/7950050-2022-heineken-champions-cup?view=live-and-upcoming) and every EPCR Challenge Cup game [HERE](https://www.florugby.com/collections/7950056-2022-european-professional-club-rugby-challenge-cup?view=live-and-upcoming). Coverage of EPCR tournaments has been further expanded this campaign amid a two-year partnership with Viaplay, who will broadcast the EPCR Challenge Cup in the UK until the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.

How to watch the best club sides in Europe and now South Africa battle it out wherever you are in the world. La Rochelle win European Champions Cup.

Fans braving the time difference down under can watch every game of the Champions Cup with beIN Sports on Foxtel. Rugby fans in North America can stream every single Champions Cup and Challenge Cup game on FloRugby. Sky will broadcast 63 live Champions Cup matches each season, with a ‘match of the week’ to air on Saturday morning in New Zealand. Champions Cup and Challenge Cup coverage: How to watch from elsewhere Champions Cup and Challenge Cup coverage: How to watch from Australia If you can’t watch on your TV, you can also use the network’s streaming service for PC and Mac, as well as via SuperSport’s dedicated app. Champions Cup and Challenge Cup coverage: How to watch from USA and Canada If you are a BT Sport subscriber then all the games are free to watch. Champions Cup and Challenge Cup coverage: How to watch from Italy You can try it out for a month for free or sign up for an annual plan and get three months free. Champions Cup and Challenge Cup coverage: How to watch from France Round one begins on 9 December with Round two taking place the following week before Rounds three and four follow back-to-back from 13 January.

A feast of European rugby action gets underway with a whopping 21 total matches to be played in round one. All four Welsh regions will feature, ...

- Scarlets v Bayonne - 3.15pm - epcrugby.tv - Zebre v Toulon - 9pm - epcrugby.tv - Gloucester v Bordeaux - 3.15pm However, the Challenge Cup matches will not be shown on BT Sport. The four teams are Siya Kolisi's Cell C Sharks, Steven Kitshoff's DHL Stormers, Frans Steyn's Toyota Cheetahs and the Vodacom Bulls. All four Welsh regions will feature, but Ospreys are the only side involved in the Champions Cup.

Neil Treacy looks ahead to the start of the 2022/23 Champions Cup season, with South Africa's big hitters ready to leave their mark on the competition.

Dan McFarland's side, with La Rochelle and Sale their opponents, starting with a trip to the Premiership side on Sunday. A pair of wins could even be enough to advance to the Round of 16. Sale don't exactly have a stellar European pedigree, quarter-finalists in each of the last two seasons, but Alex Sanderson's side have been strong this season in the Premiership, with seven wins from nine games leaving them second in the table behind Saracens. Even with a daunting trip to Stade Ernest Wallon in January, there will be a huge target on their games against Northampton Saints in Rounds 2 and 3. Last season they looked unstoppable en route to the final, and their total of 364 points was just 14 off the all-time record set by Stade Francais in 2001. On Thursday the Cell C Sharks showed their hand for their opener with Harlequins in Durban today, with Springboks Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Jaden Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi all included. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Both previous runnings were heavily disrupted by the pandemic, with the pool stage ultimately abandoned halfway through the 2020/21 season, while almost every team in last season's competition found themselves effected by cancellations, or outbreaks of the virus in their squad. Whatever about the format, the rugby should be good. It may no longer be the European Cup, but does that really matter? Antoine Dupont is one of those who doesn't seem to be a fan. One would hope he hasn't confused the Sale Sharks with their Durban namesakes.

Ospreys are the only Welsh region in the elite Champions Cup, as they face Leicester Tigers at 5.30PM on Sunday evening, in what will be the final action of the ...

- Ulster - Toulouse - Munster - Saracens - Gloucester - Edinburgh

'At the moment our concern is not for Sbu the rugby player, it is for Sbu the person,' - Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone. Prime Sport. 3 days ago.

[MATCH REPORT](https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/unitedrugbychampionship/fringe-bulls-claim-victory-on-champions-cup-debut-in-loftus-thriller-20221210) [MATCH REPORT](https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/unitedrugbychampionship/cheetahs-challenge-cup-journey-starts-with-gutsy-away-win-over-pau-thanks-to-2nd-half-surge-20221210) [MATCH REPORT](https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/unitedrugbychampionship/lions-dragons-play-to-thrilling-high-scoring-draw-in-sas-challenge-cup-foray-20221210)

South Africa's historic first game as European Champions Cup participants had all the ingredients of refereeing drama, thrilling finishes and spectacular ...

The Sharks held a 32-21 lead with 13 minutes to play after the visiting converted score, which immediately looked tenuous when Harlequins broke from their own half and spread the ball. Sensationally, it was the Sharks who scored the most decisive try of the game with less than a minute left through fullback Boeta Chamberlain. Then in the 27th minute, Jaden Hendrikse and Mapimpi combined for the wing to score his second after the halfback tricked the Harlequins close defence with a back-of-the-hand flick from a scrum. But no amount of feet dragging would prevent the onslaught from the visitors, who pulled a try back through former Sharks centre Esterhuizen in the 65th minute. But the Sharks, ala the Springboks against England at Twickenham in November, held on with, firstly with 13 players and eventually with a man short at the death to claim victory. And officiating controversy would not be left behind after the Sharks lost Ox Nche to a red card with more than 20 minutes to play.

Sharks boss Neil Powell is looking for a collective effort from his Springbok-laden side in their Champions Cup debut against Harlequins.

“Defensively, you have to be very structured. “We obviously work hard in attack, as well, and I think maybe we weren’t patient enough on the ball before. With that, we have to be dominant and physical in that game.”

Sharks chief executive Ed Coetzee made it clear that the team's ambition was to win the European Champions Cup, and on Saturday, they make their debut in ...

One of the biggest weapons for the Sharks will be Etzebeth. “I think he's just that type of person. Earlier this year, Sharks chief executive Ed Coetzee invited the media from around the country for a briefing at Kings Park.

Impressive Leinster secure a 42-10 win over a sloppy Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup opener in Le Havre.

Impressive Leinster earned a 42-10 win over a sloppy Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup opener in Le Havre. Leinster were soon back in the Racing 22 and Van der Flier secured the bonus point on 62 minutes, with the home side again down to 14 after scrum-half Le Garrec's deliberate knock-on, before replacement prop Byrne soon added the Irish province's fifth try. Heineken Champions Cup: Leinster earn impressive 42-10 away win over Racing 92

A Springbok-inspired Sharks team survived the double blow of late red and yellow cards to secure a 39-31 triumph against Harlequins in Durban.

The newly appointed director of rugby, the former Springbok sevens coach Neil Powell, has stepped into the head coach role and faced a baptism of fire in his first outing in the new competition which now features three South African sides. But despite playing with 13 men, it was the home side who scored next, Bosch converting a penalty before the former Shark André Esterhuizen found plenty of space out wide. Mapimpi soon had his second after a dominant scrum that allowed him space to attack down the blindside, before Quins scored a rolling maul try to cut the lead to 22-14 at the break. The visitors’ seven-pointer galvanised a strong pack effort from the Sharks, a lineout mauling try for the hooker Bongi Mbonambi, with the fly-half Curwin Bosch adding his own touchline conversion to level the score. [Sharks](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/sharks) with the sacking of their popular coach, Sean Everitt, after a comprehensive 35-0 defeat to Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship last month. The hosts looked up against it when reduced to 13 players as the visitors cut their deficit to one point but a late try for Boeta Chamberlain secured the win.

Harlequins opened their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a 39-31 defeat by Sharks in a thrilling encounter on their first trip to South Africa.

Bosch landed the conversion. Curwin added the extras with his second conversion. After the break, Sharks crossed for a fourth try after wing Kok raced on to his kick-and-chase to score in the corner, securing the bonus point for the home side.

TV and live stream information as BT Sport brings you live coverage of nine games from the opening weekend of the new Heineken Cup season.

[Ospreys](https://www.bt.com/sport/rugby-union/teams) vs [Leicester Tigers](https://www.bt.com/sport/rugby-union/teams) - 5.15pm (1pm KO), BT Sport 2 HD [Watch live stream from 5.15pm](/sport/watch/enhanced-player/rugby-union/european-rugby-champions-cup/2022/december/ospreys-v-leicester-tigers) “I think it’s probably the most hotly contested tournament you can play in,” said Ford. [Watch live stream from 3pm](/sport/watch/enhanced-player/rugby-union/european-rugby-champions-cup/2022/december/munster-rugby-v-toulouse) [Watch live stream from 3pm](/sport/watch/enhanced-player/rugby-union/european-rugby-champions-cup/2022/december/saracens-v-edinburgh-rugby) [Sale Sharks](https://www.bt.com/sport/rugby-union/teams) vs [Ulster](https://www.bt.com/sport/rugby-union/teams) - 12.30pm (1pm KO), BT Sport 2 HD & BT Sport Ultimate [Watch live stream from 12.30pm](/sport/watch/enhanced-player/rugby-union/european-rugby-champions-cup/2022/december/sale-sharks-v-ulster-rugby) TV and live stream information as BT Sport brings you live coverage of every game from the opening weekend of the new Heineken Cup season.

The Sharks are the first South African team to claim a victory in the Champions Cup, defeating Harlequins 39-31 in a thrilling encounter in Durban.

So many teams have folded when confronted by a rampant Harlequins outfit, but the Sharks didn’t, and the odds were stacked against them. Meanwhile, Murley continues to push for higher honours, having missed out on a Test debut in the Autumn Nations Series. The former Wasps man gained over 60 metres, making three clean breaks, and if he continues this form, he will surely become a fan favourite. Nche, Mbonambi, and Siya Kolisi feasted on the Quins’ breakdown, stifling their attack. It wasn’t just in the scrum that the Sharks flexed their pack prowess, with Eben Etzebeth proving to be a handful for the Quins lineout. [Sharks](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/sharks) lost Nche to a red card, and Simon Kerrod came onto the pitch.

Harlequins opened their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a defeat as Sharks became the first South African team to record a victory in the competition.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: "The lads started with great intent and it was important to score early. We missed our own opportunities in the game to play our game, so it will be frustrating when we debrief the game." They've gone to Racing and beat them 42-10, which is pretty unbelievable. Newcastle and Bath were both beaten in their opening Pool A games of the European Challenge Cup on a day to forget for the Premiership's representatives. In the other game in Pool B, Stormers failed to make it a hat-trick of South African wins as they were beaten 24-14 at Clermont Auvergne. Next up is a trip to Leinster on Friday, and head coach George Skivington said: "You are pretty much playing Ireland.

There were bonus-point wins for Leinster and the Sharks over Racing 92 and Harlequins respectively in their Champions Cup openers on Saturday.

Bosch landed the conversion. Curwin added the extras with his second conversion. After the break, Sharks crossed for a fourth try after wing Kok raced on to his kick-and-chase to score in the corner, securing the bonus point for the home side. Mapimpi crossed for his second try after a dominant scrum by the Sharks five metres out from the Harlequins line saw him dance and step his way past defenders to cross the whitewash and to make it 22-7. Wing Josh Bassett crossed for his second try as Quins made it 32-31 before full-back Boeta Chamberlain crossed for the vital try for Sharks in the 79th minute to secure a famous victory. [Harlequins](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/harlequins) opened their [Champions Cup](https://www.planetrugby.com/category/champions-cup) campaign with a 39-31 defeat by [Sharks](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/sharks) in a thrilling encounter on their first trip to South Africa.

Leinster will be without injured pair Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong in Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup opener against Racing 92.

Impressive Leinster earned a 42-10 win over a sloppy Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup opener in Le Havre. Leinster were soon back in the Racing 22 and Van der Flier secured the bonus point on 62 minutes, with the home side again down to 14 after scrum-half Le Garrec's deliberate knock-on, before replacement prop Byrne soon added the Irish province's fifth try. Heineken Champions Cup: Leinster earn impressive 42-10 away win over Racing 92

Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson did not hide his frustration after his side fell to a 39-31 defeat to the Sharks in their Champions Cup opener.

Meanwhile, the Sharks head to France, where they will face Bordeaux-Begles. We take some learnings from this game and then get ready for the new challenge,” Matson said. “We have shown in the past that a deficit doesn’t knock us, and we know we can come back because we have that confidence and ability and belief that we chase any score down,” Dombrandt said. “They sprung no surprises on us, and we knew they were going to be a physical team; they were lucky to be able to bring back their Springboks from the national team. “It was the same [as playing the French], but it was good to mix it up and spend a week in Durban in 30-degree heat, and it makes a change from back home, which has been nice,” said Dombrandt. “We have a day of travelling tomorrow and then a day off, and it’s important to spend some time with our families, and then we are back in on Tuesday and will debrief this game.

Sale began their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with an emphatic win over Ulster, while Saracens turned things around to beat Edinburgh.

[Toulouse edge to tight European Cup win over Munster in Thomond fog](https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/munster-vs-toulouse/report/105700) [Sharks beat Quins to make history Saracens returned to the top table of European rugby with a hard-fought 30-26 Heineken Champions Cup win over Edinburgh at a freezing StoneX Stadium. Leicester put speculation linking head coach Steve Borthwick with England's top job to one side as they opened their Heineken Champions Cup campaign by beating the Ospreys 23-17 in Swansea. The visitors had to fly over on the morning of the match due to travel issues and struggled to deal with the physicality of their hosts in Salford. Sale began their Champions Cup campaign with an emphatic win over Ulster, while Saracens turned things around to beat Edinburgh and Leicester beat Ospreys... Sale started their Heineken Champions Cup Pool B campaign with an emphatic 39-0 victory over Ulster at the AJ Bell Stadium.