The revamp cross-continental Champions Cup Fixture confirmed
NEWS: Sharks will be the first of the South African clubs in action when Harlequins travel to Durban in the Champions Cup.
The fixtures between the South Africans and English Premiership side will take place on Saturday, December 10.
On the same day, ASM Clermont Auvergne will host the United Rugby Championship winners, the Stormers, at Stade Marcel-Michelin in Pool B, while the Bulls will begin their inaugural campaign against the 2022 EPCR Challenge Cup winners, Lyon, at Loftus Versfeld in Pool A.
Champions Cup holders, Stade Rochelais, will begin the defence of their title against Northampton Saints at Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday, December 10.
Another heavyweight clash is scheduled for Saturday, 10 December when three-time finalists, Racing 92, and four-time champions, Leinster Rugby, go head-to-head in Pool A at the 25 000-capacity Stade Océane in Le Havre.
Then on Sunday, December 11, there will be the Round 1 showdowns between Saracens and Edinburgh Rugby at the StoneX Stadium, and between Munster Rugby and five-time winners, Stade Toulousain, at Thomond Park.
The Ospreys will face Premiership champions, Leicester Tigers, at the Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday, December 11 in a Pool B fixture.
The journey to next May’s Champions Cup final in Dublin will kick-off on Friday, December 9 when London Irish, making a return to the top flight for the first time since 2012, are pitted against the TOP 14 holders, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, at the Gtech Community Stadium in Pool B.
*Meanwhile, The EPCR Challenge Cup also gets under way on Friday, December 9 with the 2020 winners, Bristol Bears, opening their Pool A campaign against USAP at Stade Aimé Giral, and with the 2017 winners, Stade Français Paris, taking on Benetton Rugby at Stade Jean-Bouin. Then the following day, Section Paloise host newcomers, the Cheetahs, at Stade du Hameau in the south-west of France.
Following the RFU’s decision to suspend Worcester Warriors from all competitions, EPCR is unable to include the club in the match schedule, and details of the affected Pool B matches involving Lions and Benetton Rugby are therefore yet to be confirmed.