By:
Conor Martin
All four Irish provinces have found their next European opponents as the draws for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Round of 16 were announced.
Only one Irish province left in European rugby’s biggest competition
Ireland’s only representation in European club rugby’s top-tier competition, Leinster, will be kicking off a rare Sunday evening clash in the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 when they host Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium on Easter Sunday, 5th April, with a 5.30pm start.
The four-time European champions are expected to be strong favourites against the Scottish side, aiming to advance to a quarter-final showdown against either Harlequins or Sale.
Traditionally, Saturday evening fixtures have been considered the most coveted slots in the Champions Cup, particularly among Irish teams.
This year, however, those prime-time games have been allocated to match-ups considered more evenly balanced, leaving Leinster with the unusual Sunday evening kickoff.
The remaining three Irish provinces find out their Challenge Cup opponents
Meanwhile, in the European Challenge Cup, Munster will have an early afternoon start on Saturday, 4th April, taking on Exeter Chiefs at 12.30pm, marking only the second time in the province’s history they have dropped into the Challenge Cup knock-outs after they lost to Castres last weekend.
Connacht will be the first Irish side in action over the weekend, welcoming South Africa’s Sharks at Dexcom Stadium at 8pm on Good Friday, 3rd April.
Ulster will conclude Irish Challenge Cup action on Saturday, 4th April, facing the Ospreys at Affidea Stadium, also with an 8pm kickoff.
With fixtures spread across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, fans are in for a thrilling weekend of European rugby, with all four Irish provinces involved across both competitions and several high-stakes match-ups promising plenty of drama ahead of the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere, there are some big ties across Europe; the Champions Cup Round of 16 promises a packed schedule and high-stakes drama. Friday kicks off with last year’s runners-up, Northampton Saints, taking on Castres Olympique at 8pm.
Saturday sees Bath host Saracens at 3pm, Toulon face the Stormers simultaneously, Glasgow Warriors take on the Bulls at 5.30pm, and Toulouse welcome Bristol Bears later that evening. Meanwhile, defending champions Bordeaux-Bègles host Leicester Tigers with a 3pm kickoff. You can see the full draw for the Rund of 16’s below.
Champions & Challenge Cup Round of 16 draws;
Champions Cup Round of 16
Friday 3 April
Northampton Saints v Castres Olympique, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens (8pm)
Saturday 4 April
Bath Rugby, v Saracens, The Recreation Ground (3pm)
RC Toulon, v DHL Stormers, Stade Mayol (3pm Irish time)
Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls, Scotstoun Stadium (5.30pm)
Stade Toulousain v Bristol Bears, Le Stadium de Toulouse (5.30pmIrish time)
Harlequins v Sale Sharks , Twickenham Stoop (8pm)
Sunday 5 April
Union Bordeaux Begles v Leicester Tigers , Stade Chaban-Delmas (3pm Irish time)
Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby , Aviva Stadium (5.30pm)
Challenge Cup Round of 16
Friday 3 April
Connacht Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks Dexcom Stadium (8pm)
Saturday 4 April
Exeter Chiefs v Munster Rugby, Sandy Park Stadium (12.30pm).
Montpellier Herault Rugby v USAP , Septeo Stadium (12.30pm Irish time)
Benetton Rugby v Cardiff Rugby , Stadio Comunale di Monigo (5.30pm Irish time)
Ulster Rugby v Ospreys , Affidea Stadium (8pm)
Newcastle Red Bulls v Stade Rochelais (11), Kingston Park (8pm)
Sunday 5 April
Stade Francais Paris v Dragons RFC Stade Jean Bouin (12.30pm Irish time)
Zebre Parma v Section Paloise , Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (5.30pm Irish time)
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