A look ahead to this weekend’s Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Bath vs Northampton Saints
Friday, 10 April, The Rec (9pm SA time)
The quarter-finals open with a blockbuster all-English showdown. Bath, winners of the 2024-25 EPCR Challenge Cup, host last season’s Champions Cup runners-up the Northampton Saints, with both sides looking to go all in the way with French clubs having won each of the past five editions of the competition.
The two teams are also setting the pace domestically, with Northampton currently leading the Premiership standings and Bath in second. This will be their first meeting in the knockout stages of the competition, adding extra intensity to an already fierce rivalry.
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Glasgow Warriors vs Toulon
Saturday, 11 April, Scotstoun Stadium (4pm SA time)
The Glasgow Warriors will play their first-ever home quarter-final as they face three-time champions Toulon in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.
Glasgow are chasing a historic first semi-final appearance, while both teams will be eager to go further after exiting at this stage last season. Their most recent meeting saw Toulon edge a one-point victory in last season’s pool stage. Glasgow arrive unbeaten this campaign, while Toulon haven’t lost a match since the opening round.
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Leinster vs Sale Sharks
Saturday, 11 April, Aviva Stadium (6:30pm)
Sale travel to Dublin to take on tournament heavyweights Leinster in a compelling quarter-final clash.
Leinster are unbeaten this season and will look to capitalise on home advantage as they continue their pursuit of a fifth European title. Sale, however, have already improved on last season’s round-of-16 knockout, and proved their resilience with an away win.
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Bordeaux Bègles vs Toulouse
Sunday 12 April, Stade Chaban-Delmas (4pm SA time)
The quarter-finals conclude with an all-French heavyweight clash as defending champions Bordeaux Bègles take on six-time winners Toulouse.
Bordeaux will take confidence from knocking Toulouse out in last season’s semi-finals, as well as winning their most recent domestic meeting in March. They remain unbeaten this season, but Toulouse – current leaders of the Top 14 – bring formidable pedigree despite two pool stage defeats.
With both sides in outstanding form, this encounter promises a fiercely contested finish to the weekend.
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Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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