Ulster Rugby vs Clermont

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM EPCR

We reconvene for the European Rugby Champions Cup after an emotional Round 2 as the rugby family honoured the memory of the late Anthony Foley at matches across the continent. The performance of Foley’s club, Munster Rugby, in their victory over Glasgow Warriors was one of many displays that have caught the eye so far this season. Glasgow themselves were stylish in seeing off Leicester Tigers on the opening night and Leicester in turn, impressive in bouncing back to beat French champions Racing 92. Add in Saracens’ storming of the Stade Félix Mayol and Connacht’s thrilling home success over Toulouse and it really whets the appetite for the head-to-head battles that come in the December rounds of matches. It isn’t just in the Champions Cup where European rugby has been engaging, with attendances in the Challenge Cup over the first two rounds up by 18.55% on the same stage last season. La Rochelle hosted the third highest crowd in history for a Challenge Cup pool game when 14,634 witnessed their victory over Bayonne and the return of the Bath-Bristol derby also attracted impressive numbers during Round 2. That tournament has also highlighted the strength in depth in European rugby with consecutive wins for Russia’s Enisei-STM placing them at the top of Pool 3. Once again this season, both tournaments (as well as the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition) will conclude at the same venue and with Christmas just around the corner, it’s a good time to secure your place at BT Murrayfield for one of European sport’s most prestigious weekends. For each pair of tickets bought between now and the end of Round 4 matches, you will enter a free prize draw for two free flights courtesy of tournament partners, Turkish Airlines. Keep an eye on epcrugby.com for more details. Whoever you support, we hope that you enjoy the action throughout this round of European club rugby.

EPCR WELCOME

Simon Halliday EPCR Chairman