The round of 16, which runs from March 31 to April 2, will be the scene of clashes between French, English and South Africans, all enhanced by the best players in Europe.
The digested Six Nations, now place new European games, with the European Cup. On hold since January 22, the Champions Cup resumes its rights with the round of 16 this weekend (March 31, April 1 and 2), to follow live on France Télévisions. If Toulouse will face a South African team for the first time in the European Cup, La Rochelle and Montpellier will be remembered fondly by the Crunch. Finally, these first cutting matches will be an opportunity to find on the European scene the players who shone during the last Six Nations Tournament.
Because Toulouse faces an unprecedented opponent
When the shots strike at 4 p.m. on Sunday April 2 (live on France 2), the Toulouse Stadium and the 30,000 expected supporters will discover a hitherto unknown opponent, the Pretoria Blue Bulls. The South Africans will have the heavy task of facing the record holder of victories in the competition, on his own lawn. As they evolve more than 8000 kilometers from the South African capital, coach Jake White’s players will want to mark the spirits and their opponents.
Led by a collective without a star, but very well oiled, the Bulls want to create the feat. Opposed to Lyon in hens, the latter with difficulty dismissed the Rhodanians at home (42-36), before being severely beaten on French soil (31-7). What give an overview of the level of a team, which still brought down Leinster at the Aviva Stadium last year (27-26), in the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship.
For its part, Stade Toulousain recovers the vast majority of its internationals, including its hinge composed of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, and will want to confirm that it is indeed one of the favorites of the competition. It will be necessary for that, to be disciplined and to push to the fault of the South Africans penalized 49 times during the pool matches.
Because the French clubs switch to the English developer
Respectively second and ninth in the Top 14, Maritimes and Héraultais do not approach these round of 16 on the same dynamic. La Rochelle receives Gloucester with full confidence. For the 100th appearance of Jules Favre, the “convicts” from La Rochelle really begin the defense of their title. Authors of a perfect four out of four in pools, the teammates of captain Grégory Alldritt will once again play to sold-out crowds in front of their home crowd.
Facing them, the English of Gloucester. Threatening behind with players like Santiago Carreras or Louis Rees-Zammit, the Cherry and Whites know that they are not leaving favorites to Marcel-Deflandre, Saturday April 1 at 6:30 p.m. (live on France 2). But beware of missteps, for a La Rochelle stadium which has not shown its usual sovereignty at home this season.
Reigning champion of France, Montpellier faces a more difficult task, Sunday April 2 at 1:30 p.m. Facing him, the players from Exeter, European champions 2020, still led by the Simmonds siblings with Sam in number eight and Joe at the opening. Not at best in the league, the Chiefs find colors in the European Cup. With three wins for one defeat (against the Bulls), they finished second in their group and thus have the advantage of the field in the eighth.
Because the stars of the Six Nations Tournament will be present
The Six Nations Tournament barely finished, its main headliners are already back in the spotlight. In addition to the French, we obviously find the Irish Slams. Leinster thus aligns its internationals to face Ulster. With the exception of Johnny Sexton, package until the end of the season, are present Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, and Josh van der Flier. In short, five players nominated in the typical team of the tournament.
On the side of Munster, Peter O’Mahony also takes place in the starting XV before crossing swords with the Sharks. Despite a failed tournament for England, Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith remain world-class players and they will be on the field, respectively in the ranks of Leicester and Harlequins. Withdrawn internationally, Owen Farrell will captain Saracens to face the Ospreys.
Welsh who can count on the presence of experienced players like George North and Alun-Wyn Jones. Finally, the Scots from Edinburgh, who travel to Leicester on Friday March 31, will rely on their internationals Duhan Van der Merwe, Jamie Ritchie and Pierre Schoeman.