WRAP: We look ahead to the Champions Cup and Challenge quarterfinals.
Bath, Northampton Saints, Glasgow Warriors, Toulon, Leinster, Sale Sharks, Union Bordeaux Bègles and Stade Toulousain all remain in the race for the semifinals.
The first knockout round of the Champions Cup certainly lived up to the hype as the final eight clubs were confirmed.
Northampton Saints were pushed all the way by Castres Olympique in a 13-try show, while RC Toulon saw off DHL Stormers by the slimmest of margins in an instant classic at Stade Mayol.
Next stop? The quarterfinals, as the final eight look to become four as the Road to Bilbao edges closer.
All-English and all-French headliners
As was the case for Bath in the Round of 16, the 2025 EPCR Challenge Cup winners will face another English opposition in the quarters.
Last year’s Finalists Northampton Saints are the ones to be heading to The Rec for a Friday spectacle. The promise of an all-star line-up, including the likes of Finn Russell and Henry Pollock, is enough to wet the appetite.
The other tie that pits domestic rivals together is Union Bordeaux Bègles-Stade Toulousain.
A repeat of last year’s semi-final, ties don’t get much bigger than this. Expect pace, power and tries as the reining champions host the six-time winners at Chaban-Delmas on Sunday afternoon.
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RC Toulon eye Glasgow unbeaten run as Leinster and Sale complete set
The other two quarterfinals see three-time winners RC Toulon visit Glasgow Warriors.
The Scots have been unmatched at Scotstoun so far this season — including a spectacular comeback win over Stade Toulousain in the pool stage — and will have to fend off a Toulon side buoyant from their Stormers win.
Leinster’s quest for a fifth star continues in Dublin next weekend too as Sale Sharks come to town.
But inspired by just their second ever quarterfinal, and a statement away win in the Round of 16, the Mancunians won’t be any push over.
- In the Challenge Cup Ulster host Stade Rochelais, Montpellier Hérault welcome Connacht, Exeter Chiefs visit Benetton and Dragons are on the road to Zebre Parma.
Round of 16 results
Champions Cup
Northampton Saints 49-41 Castres Olympique
Bath 31-22 Saracens
Toulon 28-27 Stormers
Glasgow Warriors 25-21 Bulls
Stade Toulousain 59-26 Bristol Bears
Harlequins 17-26 Sale Sharks
Union Bordeaux Bègles 64-14 Leicester Tigers
Leinster 49-31 Edinburgh
Challenge Cup
Connacht 29-12 Sharks
Montpellier Hérault 53-13 Perpignan
Exeter Chiefs 31-21 Munster
Benetton 38-35 Cardiff
Newcastle 18-26 Stade Rochelais
Ulster 28-24 Ospreys
Stade Français 31-36 Dragons
Zebre Parma 31-15 Section Paloise
