Provinces’ European Quarter-Final Fixtures Are Confirmed

Nine former winners of EPCR’s two leading tournaments with as many as 22 titles between them are still in contention for European silverware as the journey to the Newcastle finals intensifies, and the knockout stages look set to deliver even more drama in front of packed stadiums.

Munster, who have reached the last-eight for a record 18th time, will travel to Pool 5 winners Edinburgh in the first of the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, March 30. The clash could attract a tournament record attendance for BT Murrayfield and will be broadcast live on Virgin Media and Channel 4 in Ireland and the UK.

BT Sport are covering every quarter-final match live, and next up on the Saturday schedule will be top seeds Saracens against Glasgow Warriors at Allianz Park. That match will be followed later on the same day by the all-Ireland confrontation of holders Leinster and a resurgent Ulster at the Aviva Stadium.

Then on Sunday, March 31 all eyes will turn to France when the 2018 beaten finalists and this season’s number two seeds, Racing 92, go head-to-head with four-time winners Toulouse at Paris La Défense Arena.

The quarter-finals weekend kicks off on Friday, March 29 with the first of the Challenge Cup matches between Sale Sharks and Connacht at the AJ Bell Stadium and the following evening, Worcester Warriors are up against three-time champions Harlequins at Sixways Stadium.

On Sunday, March 31, Bristol Bears face a demanding task when they travel to Stade Marcel Deflandre to take on La Rochelle, and later that evening, Stade Marcel Michelin will be at boiling point for the meeting of the number one-ranked Clermont Auvergne and Northampton Saints.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP QUARTER-FINALS:

Saturday, March 30 –

QF 2: Edinburgh v MUNSTER, BT Murrayfield, 12.45 (live Channel 4/Virgin Media/BT Sport/beIN Sports)
QF 1: Saracens v Glasgow Warriors, Allianz Park, 3.15pm (live BT Sport/beIN Sports)
QF 3: LEINSTER v ULSTER, Aviva Stadium, 5.45pm (live BT Sport/beIN Sports)

Sunday, March 31 –

QF 4: Racing 92 v Toulouse, Paris La Défense Arena, 4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish time (live FR2/beIN Sports/BT Sport)

Semi-Final 1: Winners of QF 1: Saracens v Glasgow Warriors will play the winners of QF 2: Edinburgh v MUNSTER (to be played on April 20/21)
Semi-Final 2: Winners of QF 3: LEINSTER v ULSTER will play the winners of QF 4: Racing 92 v Toulouse (to be played on April 20/21)

2019 Heineken Champions Cup Final: Saturday, May 11, St James’ Park, Newcastle, kick-off 5pm

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINALS:

Friday, March 29 –

QF 3: Sale Sharks v CONNACHT, AJ Bell Stadium, 7.45pm (live BT Sport/beIN Sports)

Saturday, March 30 –

QF 2: Worcester Warriors v Harlequins, Sixways Stadium, 8.15pm (live BT Sport/beIN Sports)

Sunday, March 31 –

QF 4: La Rochelle v Bristol Bears, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 1.45 pm local time/12.45pm Irish time (live beIN Sports/BT Sport)
QF 1: Clermont Auvergne v Northampton Saints, Stade Marcel Michelin, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time (live FR4/beIN Sports/BT Sport)

Semi-Final 1: Winners of QF 1: Clermont Auvergne v Northampton Saints will play the winners of QF 2: Worcester Warriors v Harlequins (to be played on April 19/20/21)
Semi-Final 2: Winners of QF 3: Sale Sharks v CONNACHT will play the winners of QF 4: La Rochelle v Bristol Bears (to be played on April 19/20/21)

2019 Challenge Cup Final: Friday, May 10, St. James’ Park, Newcastle, kick-off 7.45pm