Ulster Rugby v Harlequins

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM EPCR

EPCR WELCOME

It is a pleasure to welcome you all to the back-to-back December contests in the European Rugby Champions Cup; a set of mouth-watering fixtures that will go a long way towards deciding which clubs will make the knockout rounds.

Rounds 3 and 4 will see the top two sides in each pool battle it out for supremacy and include a couple of re-runs of last season’s compelling final, when Saracens prevailed over ASM Clermont Auvergne. Other 100% records are on the line when former winners Toulon and Bath Rugby go head-to-head in Pool 5 and when Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs face Leinster Rugby, whilst Munster Rugby and Leicester Tigers give us plenty to look forward to in Pool 4. As well as those steeped in the history of the competition, we must celebrate the exciting and stylish arrival on the Champions Cup scene of La Rochelle, who have shown scant regard for reputation in their opening wins away to Harlequins and at home to Ulster Rugby. The action is capturing the imagination of fans beyond the borders of Europe’s ‘traditional’ rugby nations. Excitement is already building in Bilbao, the Basque Country and across Spain for our landmark Finals weekend this season, for which more than 40,000 tickets have now been sold. Going to a new venue not only gives us a chance to spread the word of European club rugby’s excellence - both on and off the field – but also allows us to enjoy more outstanding rugby experiences in a fantastic setting. To avoid disappointment, you can reserve your place at Finals weekend through ChampionsCupRugby. com.

We are delighted to be joined once again by Official Partners Heineken and Turkish Airlines, Official Supporter, Tissot, and Official Supplier, Gilbert. Moreover, we are enjoying another season of top quality coverage from our broadcast partners BT Sport, Sky Sports, beIN SPORTS and France Télévisions, taking the premium tournaments of European club rugby to homes across the world. As well as their coverage, you can stay close to the heart of the competitions through the website and official social media channels, where you can play our exciting new Fantasy Rugby game as well as winning some superb prizes by selecting your Try of the Round after each match week during the pool stage; there have already been some outstanding winners this season in the form of Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey and Scarlets’ Steff Evans. We invite you to tune in to another season of outstanding rugby across Europe and wish you a wonderful time culminating in a visit to our most ambitious venue yet, Bilbao. Enjoy the match and best wishes for the holiday season,

Simon Halliday EPCR Chairman