Competition format, groups, calendar… what you need to know about the Champions Cup

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Held by Stade Toulousain since its daunting final won against Leinster, and after a group draw in July, the Champions Cup will begin this Friday, December 6. THE competition formatTHE chickensthe calendar and the candidates for qualification, here are the information to know about the Champions Cup.

Champions Cup : le format

It has changed a number of times in recent seasons, sometimes clear, sometimes almost illegible. This year, the format of the Champions Cup has not changed compared to last season, retaining its qualities as well as its faults.

Thus, like last year, the 24 qualified teams (8 from the Top 14, 8 from the Premiership, 8 from the URC) are divided into 4 groups of 6 where each will meet 4 opponents. Each club or province will avoid its counterpart coming from the same championship.

The matches will be played in single matches, 2 being played away and 2 being played at home. After this first phase, the first 4 of each group will qualify for 8^es finals, the final phase also taking place in dry matches until the final scheduled at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on May 24, 2025.

Champions Cup: the pools

Pool 1:

• Toulouse
• Bordeaux-Bègles
• Hollywood Sharks
• Exeter
• Leicester
• Ulster

In this group 1, Stade Toulousain and UBB should do well, particularly given Exeter's catastrophic season to date (7 defeats in 7 matches and last place in the Premiership) and Ulster's average performance. in URC (3 wins, 4 losses).

Pool 2:

• Leinster
• Clermont
• La Rochelle
• Bristol
• Benetton
• Bath

A very dense pool for the French clubs where Leinster should dominate… closely followed by Bath first in England and Bristol their runner-up? If we assume that these three teams will maintain their rank, there would only be one qualifying place left. Unless the Rochelais find color in a competition they appreciate or Clermont confirms its return to form.

Pool 3:

• Northampton
• Munster
• Bulls
• French Stadium
• Saracens
• Castres

Behind the Bulls 3^es of the URC and the Saracens 4^es of the Premiership, it's difficult to say who will come out on top: Munster not doing well this year or Northampton lagging behind in England. A card to play for Parisians and Castres, if they wish to give it a try.

Pool 4:

• Glasgow
• Racing 92
• Sale
• Stormers
• Toulon
• Harlequins

Considering the current form, Glasgow and Toulon should play the qualification in this group 4. In the tough Top 14, Racing 92 will face opponents who do not have much more baraka than them at the moment.

Champions Cup: the calendar

Without return matches at any stage of the competition, the format of the Champions Cup is quite dense with only 8 days of competition from December to May.

• Day 1: December 6, 7 and 8
• Day 2: December 13, 14, 15
• Day 3: January 10, 11, 12
• Day 4: January 17, 18, 19
• 8^es final: April 4, 5, 6
• Quarter-finals: April 11, 12, 13
• Semi-finals: May 2, 3, 4
• Final: Saturday May 24 at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff

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