Ulster Rugby vs Harlequins

WELCOME FROMEPCR

In the calendar year, fans have benefitted from greater access to the tournament than ever before through improved and innovative broadcast platforms and the all-time aggregate of spectators in the stadium passed 20 million as Saracens defeated Leinster Rugby to win their third title in Newcastle back in May. We have seen exceptional performances from clubs representing all three professional domestic leagues so far this season. Only Exeter Chiefs have returned a maximum haul of 10 match points from the November rounds but four other clubs have won two matches from two and there’s plenty to play for in each section, adding intensity to these home-and- away contests. As we celebrate the 25th season of club rugby’s blue riband tournament, there are plenty of opportunities to mark its memorable moments. These December rounds take us back to the sensational 2011 final in Cardiff, when Leinster Rugby turned around a 14-point half-time deficit to edge out Northampton Saints and earn the second of four stars on their jersey. Two other former winners come head-to-head in December, with the Munster Rugby-Saracens double-header likely to go a long way towards deciding who will emerge from Pool 4. It is with great pleasure that EPCR is presenting the eleven clubs on the tournament’s Roll of Honour with commemorative silver salvers during the Pool Stage to mark their contribution to what is now the Heineken Champions Cup. The anniversary season has been wonderfully supported by broadcast partners BT Sport Heineken Champions Cup, which bring the European club rugby action to a close for 2019. It’s been a very special year for the tournaments, and we can expect some more exciting chapters of its history to be written during these December rounds. A very warm welcome to the very special back-to-back rounds of the

as well as Channel 4 and Virgin Media, who take one live match per round to free-to-air audiences in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Stars of the global game have their eyes fixed firmly on the Road to Marseille for Finals Weekend on 22-23 May and the shores of the Mediterranean has already proved a fascinating allure for fans, with over 50,000 tickets sold across the two matches to date. Through the official website, you can secure your place to be part of this annual festival of cross-border club rugby competition. In this anniversary season, it’s a reminder of the longevity of the support and commitment of title partners Heineken to the tournament and we are delighted to be joined by them on our journey to the South of France. We also extend those thanks to Official Partner Tissot and official supporters Financial Times, Gilbert and Kappa, all of whom we look forward to working with in 2020. The intensity of the tournament goes straight into the New Year with concluding rounds next month defining the eight clubs who will progress to the quarter-finals. Before those come around, I would like to wish all of you and your loved ones all the best for the festive season and we look forward to enjoying the Heineken Champions Cup with you again in 2020.

Yours in rugby, Simon Halliday EPCR Chairman