A European champion for Montpellier, South Africans for Toulouse … the complete draw for the 8th Champions Cup
With the end of the last day of the group stage on Sunday January 22, the round of 16 of the Rugby Champions Cup is now known. A difficult trip to England attends Montpellier Hérault Rugby.
Already guaranteed to play in the round of 16 even before their last match against the London Irish on Sunday, the Montpellier residents now know who they will face.
After their draw at home against the London Irish (21-21) on this last day of the Champions Cup, Montpellier Hérault Rugby finished in seventh place in group B, thus crossing with the second in pool A for the continuation of the competition, at which it will reproduce.
Exeter, European champion in 2020
It will therefore be the Exeter Chiefs, current fifth in the English championship and winner of this Champions Cup in 2020, thanks to their victory in the final against Racing.
The English will not really be ignored for Montpellier since the two teams were already in the same pool last season. The MHR had even obtained its ticket for the eighth on the last day … against Exeter (37-26).
In addition, some players from the English club will join Hérault next season, such as English hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and English third line Sam Simmonds.
The Bulls for Toulouse, La Rochelle inherits Gloucester
Winner of Munster on Sunday at home (20-16), the five-time winner of the European Cup, Stade Toulousain will have to beat the Pretoria Bulls at Ernest-Wallon in order to qualify for the quarter-finals.
First of the group where to designate Toulouse and Montpellier, the European champion in title, La Rochelle, will receive on its side the English club of Gloucester.
The knockout stages of the Champions Cup and Challenge will take place on March 31, April 1 and 2.
The full quarter-final draw
Champions Cup:
Leinster Rugby – Ulster Rugby
Exeter Chiefs – MONTPELLIER
Sharks – Munster
Saracens – Ospreys
Leicester Tigers – Edinburgh
Stormers – Harlequins
Toulouse stadium – Bulls
Rochelais Stadium – Gloucester
challenge:
RC Toulon – Cheetahs
Glasgow Warriors – Dragons
Cardiff Rugby – Sale Sharks
Bristol Bears – Clermont
French Stadium – Lyons
The Lions – Race 92
Benetton–Connacht
Scarlets – Brive