Champions Cup Explained – Who Gets A Home Country Semi-Final?

What a day.

Ok that’s it. The pool stages of this year’s Champions Cup are finally over and we have our eight quarter-finalists, with Munster the final team to go through thanks to their win over Castres.

Ulster unfortunately are down and out after being thrashed by Wasps at the Ricoh, while La Rochelle and Racing 92 also go through after winning their respective games today.

Holders Saracens have also made it through by the skin of their teeth after today’s results, finishing eight seeds overall.

Here’s how the quarter finals look.

Leinster vs Saracens

Clermont vs Racing

Munster vs Toulon

Scarlets vs La Rochelle


Following confirmation of the Champions Cup quarter-final line-up, the semi-final pairings will be as follows:

Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1: Leinster Rugby v Saracens will play the winner of QF 2: Scarlets v La Rochelle

Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3: Munster Rugby v RC Toulon will play the winner of QF 4: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92

NB The format for the semi-final matches in the Champions Cup recognises performances by clubs during the pool stage as well as the achievement of winning a quarter-final match away from home.

The semi-final matches will be played at venues designated by EPCR, and the following clubs will have home country advantage in their respective matches:

Semi-final 1
If Leinster Rugby (ranked No 1) and Scarlets (ranked No 4) win their quarter-finals, Leinster will have home country advantage
If Leinster Rugby (ranked No 1) and La Rochelle (ranked No 5) win their quarter-finals, La Rochelle will have home country advantage
If Saracens (ranked No 8) and Scarlets (ranked No 4) win their quarter-finals, Saracens will have home country advantage
If Saracens (ranked No 8) and La Rochelle (ranked No 5) win their quarter-finals, La Rochelle will have home country advantage

Semi-final 2
If Munster Rugby (ranked No 3) and ASM Clermont Auvergne (ranked No 2) win their quarter-finals, Clermont will have home country advantage
If Munster Rugby (ranked No 3) and Racing 92 (ranked No 7) win their quarter-finals, Racing 92 will have home country advantage
If RC Toulon (ranked No 6) and ASM Clermont Auvergne (ranked No 2) win their quarter-finals, RC Toulon will have home country advantage
If RC Toulon (ranked No 6) and Racing 92 (ranked No 7) win their quarter-finals, RC Toulon will have home country advantage

Semi-finals: 21/22 April
2018 Champions Cup final: Saturday, 12 May; San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao (17.45)

Facebook
Twitter
Follow Me
Instagram