Champions Cup's historic schedule revealed

NEWS: History will be made in early April when the eagerly-anticipated Champions Cup round of 16 fixtures will be played over two legs for the first time.

Six former tournament winners are in contention to win the coveted silverware again following the announcement of the dates, kick-off times and broadcast coverage of the home and away matches.

With aggregate scores over the two contests deciding the round of 16 winners, dramatic outcomes in packed stadiums are certain to be the order of the day as the four highest-ranked clubs in each pool are scheduled to play their second leg matches at home.

Holders Toulouse, who finished the pool stages threatening legal action against EPCR, are moving their first leg fixture against URC front runners, Ulster Rugby, to the 33 000-capacity Le Stadium on Saturday, April 9.

While the second leg goes ahead at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday, April 16.

Racing 92, the No 1-ranked qualifier from Pool A, make the short journey to Stade Jean Bouin for their first leg clash with Stade Francais Paris also on Saturday, April 9, with the decisive second leg at Paris La Défense Arena on Sunday, April 17.

While all round of 16 matches will be live on BT Sport, additional free-to-air coverage on Channel 4 and Virgin Media in the UK and Ireland is scheduled for the first leg tie between Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears on Saturday, April 9, and for the second leg head-to-head between Harlequins and Montpellier on Saturday, April 16.

Four-time winners Leinster kick off the historic round of 16 on Friday, April 8, with an all-Irish confrontation against Connacht at The Sportsground with the return leg set to go ahead at the 51,000-capacity Aviva Stadium on Friday, April 15.

In the event of drawn matches or equal aggregate scores at the end of normal time during the knockout stage, extra time will be played with the exception of the first legs of the round of 16 matches.