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2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup
Rugby union competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the 2024–25 Investec Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) is the eleventh season of the European Rugby Champions Cup, the annual club rugby union competition run by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) for professional clubs. It is the 30th season of the pan-European professional club rugby competition and the second season in which Investec are named as title sponsors.
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For the first time since its 1995 founding (as the Heineken Cup), no Welsh teams are playing in the ERCC, as none of them finished in the top seven of the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship.[1] The final will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.[2][3]
Toulouse entered the competition as defending champions, seeking a record-extending seventh title, but fell in the semi final to French rivals Bordeaux-Bègles. Leinster, beaten finalists in the past three editions, sought a record fourth consecutive final, and to become the second team after Toulouse to win a fifth Champions Cup, but lost to English champions and former European champions Northampton Saints, also in the semi-final.
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Teams
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Twenty-four clubs from the three major European domestic and regional leagues will qualify to compete in the 2024–25 edition of the Champions Cup.[4]
The distribution of teams is:
- England: eight clubs
- The top eight clubs from the 2023–24 Premiership.
- France: eight clubs
- The top eight clubs from the 2023–24 Top 14. The European champions, Toulouse qualified in the top eight of the French league.
- Ireland, Italy, Scotland and South Africa: eight clubs
- The top seven sides from the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship.
- The champions of the 2023–24 Challenge Cup (Sharks), who displaced the eighth-placed side in the URC (Ospreys) to take the final qualification spot.[5]
Team details
Below is the list of coaches, captain and stadiums with their method of qualification for each team.
Note: Placing shown in brackets, denotes standing at the end of the regular season for their respective leagues, with their end of season positioning shown through CH for Champions, RU for Runner-up, SF for losing Semi-finalist, and QF for losing Quarter-finalist.
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Pool stage
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Teams were drawn into pools in Cardiff on 2 July 2024.[3] Teams are awarded four points for a win, two for a draw, one for scoring four tries in a game, and one for losing by less than eight points.
The format is, once again, a modified round robin. Each pool consists of six teams, two from each of the three contributing leagues. Each team plays the four teams not from its own league once, with one game away to each league and one game at home. Teams do not play their league partners at this stage. The top four teams go to the first knock out round, where the top two teams in each group are given home advantage. The fifth placed teams 'drop' into the Challenge Cup knockout rounds, joining twelve clubs from that competition's pool stages in the knockout stage as the ninth to twelfth seeds, earning away ties with the fifth-to eighth-ranked sides from the Challenge Cup's pool stage. The sixth placed team in each group is eliminated.
|1300px|alt=Locations of the Europe-based teams of the 2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup group stage.
Locations
| ]]Locations of the Europe-based teams of the 2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup group stage. Red: Pool 1;
Blue: Pool 2;
Green: Pool 3;
Yellow: Pool 4.
Pool 1
Source: EPCR[6]
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
Pool 2
Source: EPCR[7]
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
Pool 3
Source: EPCR[8]
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
Pool 4
Source: EPCR[9]
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
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Knockout stage
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The knockout stage follows the same format as used in previous years, which begins with a single-leg round of 16, starting on 4 April 2025. This round is followed by the quarter-finals and semi-finals, before the tournament concludes with the final at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 24 May 2025.
All clubs are thereafter ranked in descending order, based firstly on their ranking in their pool, and subsequently on the number of competition points they have accumulated, to create an overall ranking from 1 to 16. The pool winners are ranked 1 to 4, the second-placed clubs are ranked 5 to 8, the third-placed clubs are ranked 9 to 12, and the fourth-placed clubs are ranked 13 to 16.
Whilst the round of 16 follows a pre-determined format, the quarter-finals see home advantage given to the higher ranked team, based on a pre-determined match-up. As such the teams seeded 1 to 4 are guaranteed home advantage in they reach the quarter-final, and teams seeded 13 to 16 are guaranteed an away fixture if they do so. Whether a team ranked from 5 to 12 will play home or away will depend on other results in their section of the bracket.
At the semi-final stage, the higher ranked team has 'home country' advantage, with the match to be played in a suitably-sized stadium in their home union's territory, but not necessarily their own normal home stadium.[10]
Seeding
Bracket
Round of 16 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||||||
1 | ![]() | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
16 | ![]() | 31 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | ![]() | 47 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | ![]() | 29 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | ![]() | 24 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | ![]() | 25 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | ![]() | 35 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | ![]() | 18 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | ![]() | 72 | |||||||||||||||||
13 | ![]() | 42 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | ![]() | 18 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | ![]() | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | ![]() | 38 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | ![]() | 15 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||
3 | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||
2 | ![]() | 62 | |||||||||||||||||
15 | ![]() | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | ![]() | 52 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | ![]() | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | ![]() | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | ![]() | 19 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | ![]() | 34 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | ![]() | 37 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | ![]() | 46 | |||||||||||||||||
14 | ![]() | 24 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | ![]() | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | ![]() | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | ![]() | 39 | |||||||||||||||||
11 | ![]() | 37 |
Round of 16
4 April 2025 20:00 |
Northampton Saints ![]() | 46–24 | (14) ![]() |
Try: F. Smith 18' c Freeman (3) 23' m, 29' m, 60' m Augustus (2) 41' c, 46' c Pollock 71' c Con: F. Smith (4/7) 19', 42', 47', 72' Pen: F. Smith (1/1) 15' | Report | Try: Moala 11' c Raka 49' c Fainga'a 55' c Con: Belleau (3/3) 12', 50', 56' Pen: Belleau (1/1) 41' |
cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Attendance: 13,481 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) |
5 April 2025 13:30 |
Toulon ![]() | 72–42 | (13) ![]() |
Try: Wainiqolo 5' c Isa (3) 35' c, 55' c, 59' c Jaminet (2) 39' c, 70' m Alainu'uese 44' m Fainga'anuku 62' c Serin 74' c Tuicuvu 76' c Con: Jaminet (8/10) 6', 35', 40', 55', 60', 63', 75', 77' Pen: Jaminet (2/2) 12', 14' | Report | Try: González (2) 3' c, 22' c Tompkins 7' c Hartley 16' c van Zyl 31' c Hadfield 65' c Con: Burke (6/6) 4', 8', 17', 23', 32', 66' |
Stade Mayol, Toulon Attendance: 15,733 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) |
5 April 2025 15:00 |
Leinster ![]() | 62–0 | (15) ![]() |
Try: Prendergast 14' m J. McCarthy 17' c J. Osborne 27' c van der Flier 44' m Ringrose 47' c Sheehan 58' m Penalty try 66' R. Byrne 71' c Lowe (2) 77' m, 80' c Con: Prendergast (3/6) 17', 27', 48' R. Byrne (2/3) 72', 80' | Report |
Croke Park, Dublin Attendance: 55,627 Referee: Pierre Brousset (France) |
5 April 2025 16:00 |
Castres ![]() | 39–37 | (11) ![]() |
Try: Baget (2) 2' c, 22' m Chabouni 16' c Babillot 39' m Ambadiang 64' m Fernandez 78' c Con: Le Brun (2/4) 3', 17' Fernandez (1/2) 79' Pen: Le Brun (1/2) 47' | Report | Try: Gallo 4' c Mendy 32' m Brex 35' c Bernasconi 43' m Odogwu 57' c Con: Albornoz (3/5) 5', 36', 58' Pen: Albornoz (2/2) 7', 62' |
Stade Pierre-Fabre, Castres Attendance: 12,258 Referee: Karl Dickson (England) |
5 April 2025 18:30 |
La Rochelle ![]() | 24–25 | (9) ![]() |
Try: Botia 10' c Penalty try 65' Bosmorin 76' c Con: West (1/1) 11' Hastoy (1/1) 76' Pen: West (1/1) 42' | Report | Try: Casey 24' c Coombes 47' c A. Smith 51' m Con: Crowley (2/3) 24', 48' Pen: Crowley (1/1) 41' Drop: Crowley 68' |
Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle Attendance: 16,700 Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy) |
5 April 2025 20:00 |
Glasgow Warriors ![]() | 43–19 | (10) ![]() |
Try: Venter (2) 13' c, 74' m Vailanu (2) 18' c, 41' c Hastings 49' c Horne 50' c Con: Hastings (5/6) 14', 19', 42', 50', 51' Pen: Hastings (1/1) 42' | Report | Try: Cracknell 2' m Kata 56' c Liebenberg 66' c Con: Pollard (2/3) 59', 67' |
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow Attendance: 7,321 Referee: Craig Evans (Wales) |
6 April 2025 13:30 |
Bordeaux ![]() | 43–31 | (16) ![]() |
Try: Penaud 6' c Tameifuna 15' c Coleman 20' c Buros 40' c Lamothe 50' m Janse van Rensburg 70' c Con: Carbery (4/5) 6', 16', 21', 40+1' Jalibert (1/1) 71' Pen: Lucu (1/1) 46' | Report | Try: O'Toole 28' c McCann 35' c Timoney 55' m Ward (2) 63' m, 75' c Con: Cooney (2/2) 29', 37' Doak (1/3) 76' |
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux Attendance: 32,275 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
6 April 2025 16:00 |
Toulouse ![]() | 38–15 | (12) ![]() |
Try: Willis 1' c Cros 45' c Marchand 58' c Capuozzo 73' c Cramont 76' c Con: Ramos (5/5) 2', 46', 59', 74', 77' Pen: Ramos (1/1) 35' | Report | Try: L. James 4' m Hill 29' c Con: Ford (1/2) 30' Pen: Ford (1/1) 21' |
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 31,737 Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) |
Quarter-finals
11 April 2025 20:00 |
Leinster ![]() | 52–0 | (7) ![]() |
Try: Deegan (2) 13' c, 75' m Penalty try 22' Lowe 24' m T. O'Brien 29' c Keenan 33' c Ringrose 46' c Sheehan 57' c Con: Prendergast (5/6) 14', 30', 34', 47', 58' | Report |
Aviva Stadium, Dublin Attendance: 22,400 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
12 April 2025 16:00 |
Bordeaux ![]() | 47–29 | (9) ![]() |
Try: Penaud 5' m Lucu 12' c Samu 24' c Echegaray 33' c Lamothe 56' m Bielle-Biarrey 77' c Con: Jalibert (3/5) 13', 25', 34' Lucu (1/1) 78' Pen: Jalibert (3/5) 11', 53', 76' | Report | Try: Nankivell 43' m A. Smith (2) 50' m, 72' c Penalty try 67' Con: Crowley (2/3) 33', 73' Pen: Crowley (1/1) 9' |
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux Attendance: 32,215 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) |
12 April 2025 17:30 |
Northampton Saints ![]() | 51–16 | (6) ![]() |
Try: Freeman 6' c Langdon 13' m Coles 31' m Furbank 44' c Pollock (2) 47' c, 61' c Pearson 77' c Con: F. Smith (5/7) 7', 44', 47', 61', 77' Pen: F. Smith (2/2) 52', 68' | Report | Try: Fernandez 35' c Con: Fernandez (1/1) 36' Pen: Fernandez (3/3) 9', 39', 42 |
cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Attendance: 11,673 Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy) |
Semi-finals
3 May 2025 17:30 |
Leinster ![]() | 34–37 | (3) ![]() |
Try: O'Brien 17’ m van der Flier (2) 25’ c, 58' m Doris 46’ c Lowe 69’ c Con: Prendergast (3/5) 25', 47', 70' Pen: Prendergast (1/1) 13' | Report | Try: Freeman (3) 7' c, 35' m, 37' m Pollock 28' c Ramm 62' c Con: Smith (3/5) 8', 29, 63' Pen: Smith (2/2) 22', 55' |
Aviva Stadium, Dublin Attendance: 42,207 Referee: Pierre Brousset (France) |
4 May 2025 16:00 |
Bordeaux ![]() | 35–18 | (5) ![]() |
Try: Samu 3' c Bielle-Biarrey (2) 22' m, 40' c Bochaton 63' m Tameifuna 78' m Con: Jalibert (2/3) 4', 41' Pen: Jalibert (1/1) 8' Lucu (1/1) 28' | Report | Try: Delibes 14' m Barassi 54' c Con: Mallía (1/2) 54' Pen: Mallía (2/2) 10', 20' |
Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux Attendance: 42,096 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) |
Final
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Leading scorers
Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who have not yet earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities.
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Discipline
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Citings/bans
Notes:
- The ban is reduced by one match, subject to the player's completion of the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.[13]
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References
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