Ulster Rugby vs Toulouse

EPCR WELCOME

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM EPCR

Although the European club season got underway with the opening two rounds of matches, everything was put into perspective by the terrible events in Paris last month. Once again, we extend our sincerest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives during the attacks. As you are aware, it was decided to postpone five Champions Cup games and one Challenge Cup game in the wake of the atrocities, however, following close co-operation between the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, Premiership Rugby, PRO12 Rugby and all the clubs involved, EPCR has been able to reschedule the matches for the weekend of 8/9/10 January 2016. For now, the pool stages of both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments are set to gain more momentum as we focus on the key Round 3 and 4 back-to-back fixtures which will have a major bearing on which clubs are able to continue the journey towards the 2016 Lyon finals at the state-of-the-art Grand Stade de Lyon next May. With tickets already selling fast via epcrugby.com for the two finals, we would encourage fans who want to experience a unique weekend festival of elite rugby in one of France’s finest cities to book their seats as soon as possible. EPCR’s tournaments are built on the rich heritage of 20 years of outstanding European competition and as we look forward to more great occasions this season, I particularly want to acknowledge the commitment of fans across Europe – your support is greatly appreciated. Once again, the clubs competing in the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup have qualified on merit from their respective domestic leagues – the PRO12, the Aviva Premiership Rugby and the TOP 14 – or via a play-off. On behalf of tournament organiser, EPCR, I am delighted to welcome you to this evening’s Round 3 match in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

At the conclusion of this season, there will be no play- offs for the 20th place in the Champions Cup with the winner of the Challenge Cup qualifying automatically for the 2016/17 tournament.

In addition, the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition continues to provide important

opportunities for emerging and more established clubs alike. Clubs from Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Romania and Spain, along with three representatives from Italy, are competing this season, and two will eventually qualify for the 2016/17 Challenge Cup. With EPCR’s Executive fully operational from its base in Neuchatel, Switzerland, the organisation’s commercial programme continues to gain further momentum. Turkish Airlines have recently been announced as an Official Partner of the tournaments, and Tissot are now the Official Timekeeper and Watch of the tournaments. These key new agreements with world-renowned brands complement the long-standing relationship with Official Partner, Heineken, while Canterbury supply match officials kit and Gilbert provide match balls. With first-class broadcast coverage from our TV and radio partners – BT Sport, Sky Sports, beIN Sports, France Televisions, Sky Italia, BBC 5Live, Newstalk and RTE – the tournaments are in a strong position. Finally, I would like to wish this evening’s teams and their supporters every success in these vital back-to- back fixtures. Yours in rugby, Simon Halliday // Chairman EPCR

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