Thursday 8 December 2022
Both deciders will take place later this month.
Englishman Karl Dickson will referee the last-four tie at Aviva Stadium, while Matthew Carley will take charge of the all-French meeting of Racing 92 and Stade Rochelais.
Leo Cullen will be back on familiar ground when the province visit Leicester today.
The Leinster boss is looking forward to coming up against his old club this weekend.
The Blues lock says Leicester’s success this season ‘hasn’t happened by accident.’
The winger has been sidelined with a knee injury since March.
‘We’ll wait on next week and see if they’re available or not, but at the moment they’re not,’ said defence coach JP Ferreira.
The last-eight ties of the European Rugby championship will take place in May.
Friday’s meeting at Lansdowne Road could represent the biggest crowd some Connacht players have experienced.
Loosehead Michael Milne is also back in training and could soon be set for his first appearance of the campaign.
James Lowe scored two tries for Leo Cullen’s side in Galway.
Stuart McCloskey returns to the starting lineup, partnering James Hume in midfield, while John Cooney and Billy Burns line out at half-back.
Stand-in captain Jack O’Donoghue is joined in the back row by John Hodnett and Alex Kendellen, while Ben Healy steps in at 10.
Bundee Aki, Jarrad Butler and Gavin Thornbury start for Connacht, while Leo Cullen has switched up his half-backs and front five.
While Leinster might look at bringing the second leg to the Aviva Stadium, Connacht are going to stay put for the first.
Johnny Sexton and Dan Biggar will face off as captains in their sides’ Six Nations opener.
The Ulster coach is relishing the prospect of facing the likes of Toulouse in the next round, the opposite of a reward for an excellent pool showing.
Jimmy O’Brien scored four tries as Leo Cullen’s side enjoyed a dominant victory.
France captain Antoine Dupont is among the Toulouse players who have tested positive for Covid-19.
The cases do not affect the team announced by Castres earlier this week.
The Ireland lock suffered a hamstring injury prior to last month’s victory against Argentina.
The World Cup-winning Springbok ‘remains well’ following a period of self-isolation due to Covid-19.
The Welsh side currently have 32 players in quarantine in a hotel near Belfast.
The provinces will play each pool opponent home and away in a bid to reach the two-legged Round of 16.
The Top 14 club is set up to consistently push for trophies in the coming seasons.
The La Rochelle head coach said his team weren’t good enough to beat Toulouse.
Levani Botia’s first-half red card for a high tackle left La Rochelle with an uphill battle.
Ronan O’Gara and co. will have to see off Toulouse to claim their first European title at Twickenham.
Ronan O’Gara’s side have brought Kevin Gourdon and Dany Priso back into the starting XV.
The 6ft 8ins Wallaby has been in sensational form this season.
Cheslin Kolbe is part of a star-studded Toulouse side chasing a record fifth Champions Cup title this weekend.
The Cork man’s coaching philosophy continues to impress.
Ronan O’Gara hopes to see La Rochelle claim their first European title this weekend.
The nominees are made up of players from Champions Cup finalists Toulouse and La Rochelle.
The Top 14 side have plenty of threats but Leinster will expect to handle the pressure better.
Jono Gibbes was Cullen’s forwards coach in Leinster for six happy years.
Jono Gibbes believes Leinster have the depth to deal with Sexton’s absence.
The out-half is due to start against La Rochelle in the absence of Johnny Sexton.
Jack Conan talks us through some of his play for Ireland and Leinster in recent months.
Leo Cullen and Leinster will have to beat French opposition to win the Champions Cup.
