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INJURYMitch DrummondCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYToby BellCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHugh CooneyLeinster — out, Season-ending
INJURYHenry RobertsonWestern Force — out, season-ending
INJURYJayden SaChiefs — out, season-ending
INJURYBilly SearleLeicester Tigers — out, Remainder of season
INJURYJack YeandleExeter Chiefs — out, remainder of the season
INJURYEthan HookerHollywoodbets Sharks — out, extended spell out
INJURYGabin VilliereRC Toulon — out, season-ending
INJURYBernard van der LindeBath Rugby — out, before end of season
INJURYDarby LancasterWestern Force — out, season-ending
INJURYHarry GodfreyHurricanes — out, season-ending
INJURYBrett CameronHurricanes — out, season-ending
INJURYReesjan PasitoaHighlanders — out, season-ending
INJURYJosh TengbladHighlanders — out, season-ending
INJURYCatherine HallMystics — out, N/A
INJURYRuan VenterLions — out
INJURYJASReds — out, N/A
INJURYBilly VunipolaMontpellier — doubt
INJURYHunter PaisamiQueensland Reds — out
INJURYIsaac HenryQueensland Reds — out
INJURYJoseph-Aukuso SuaaliiNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYJack GordonNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYLolani FaleivaMoana Pasifika — out
INJURYFehi FineanganofoHurricanes — out
INJURYJosh GrayHurricanes — out
INJURYDrew WildHurricanes — out
INJURYAnaru Paenga-MorganHurricanes — out, 1-2 weeks
INJURYNikora BroughtonHighlanders — out, 2 weeks
INJURYGeorge BellCrusaders — out, 3-4 weeks
INJURYMaloni KunawaveCrusaders — out, 3 weeks
INJURYTaylor CahillCrusaders — out, 2-3 weeks
INJURYLalakai FoketiChiefs — out, tbc
INJURYDamian McKenzieChiefs — out, tbc
INJURYTuaina Taii TualimaBrumbies — out
INJURYJack CrowleyMunster — out
INJURYHenco van WykLions — out
INJURYTommy O'BrienLeinster — doubt
INJURYTadhg FurlongLeinster Rugby — doubt, to be assessed later this week
INJURYMcDermottReds — return_pending, N/A
INJURYDeon FourieStormers — return_pending, set to return to Cape Town for scans
INJURYTommy ReffellLeicester Tigers — return_pending
INJURYDuhan van der MerweEdinburgh Rugby — return_pending
INJURYJosh van der FlierLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
INJURYRobbie HenshawLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
TRANSFERSam Monaghansigns new contract with Gloucester-Hartpury to extend her stay into the 2026-27 Premiership Women's Rugby campaign
TRANSFEREre Enarifrom Hurricanes to the Dragons
TRANSFERApete Narogosigned with Toulon for several seasons
TRANSFERMichaela Brakesigned a new contract with New Zealand Rugby to the end of 2027.
TRANSFERMeryl SmithSigns new contract with Bristol Bears
TRANSFERLiam BelcherSigned a new contract to remain with Cardiff
TRANSFERJohn McKeeSigned for the Welsh region, replacing Marnus van der Merwe
TRANSFEREvie GallagherSigned a new contract with Bristol Bears
INJURYMitch DrummondCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYToby BellCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHugh CooneyLeinster — out, Season-ending
INJURYHenry RobertsonWestern Force — out, season-ending
INJURYJayden SaChiefs — out, season-ending
INJURYBilly SearleLeicester Tigers — out, Remainder of season
INJURYJack YeandleExeter Chiefs — out, remainder of the season
INJURYEthan HookerHollywoodbets Sharks — out, extended spell out
INJURYGabin VilliereRC Toulon — out, season-ending
INJURYBernard van der LindeBath Rugby — out, before end of season
INJURYDarby LancasterWestern Force — out, season-ending
INJURYHarry GodfreyHurricanes — out, season-ending
INJURYBrett CameronHurricanes — out, season-ending
INJURYReesjan PasitoaHighlanders — out, season-ending
INJURYJosh TengbladHighlanders — out, season-ending
INJURYCatherine HallMystics — out, N/A
INJURYRuan VenterLions — out
INJURYJASReds — out, N/A
INJURYBilly VunipolaMontpellier — doubt
INJURYHunter PaisamiQueensland Reds — out
INJURYIsaac HenryQueensland Reds — out
INJURYJoseph-Aukuso SuaaliiNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYJack GordonNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYLolani FaleivaMoana Pasifika — out
INJURYFehi FineanganofoHurricanes — out
INJURYJosh GrayHurricanes — out
INJURYDrew WildHurricanes — out
INJURYAnaru Paenga-MorganHurricanes — out, 1-2 weeks
INJURYNikora BroughtonHighlanders — out, 2 weeks
INJURYGeorge BellCrusaders — out, 3-4 weeks
INJURYMaloni KunawaveCrusaders — out, 3 weeks
INJURYTaylor CahillCrusaders — out, 2-3 weeks
INJURYLalakai FoketiChiefs — out, tbc
INJURYDamian McKenzieChiefs — out, tbc
INJURYTuaina Taii TualimaBrumbies — out
INJURYJack CrowleyMunster — out
INJURYHenco van WykLions — out
INJURYTommy O'BrienLeinster — doubt
INJURYTadhg FurlongLeinster Rugby — doubt, to be assessed later this week
INJURYMcDermottReds — return_pending, N/A
INJURYDeon FourieStormers — return_pending, set to return to Cape Town for scans
INJURYTommy ReffellLeicester Tigers — return_pending
INJURYDuhan van der MerweEdinburgh Rugby — return_pending
INJURYJosh van der FlierLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
INJURYRobbie HenshawLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
TRANSFERSam Monaghansigns new contract with Gloucester-Hartpury to extend her stay into the 2026-27 Premiership Women's Rugby campaign
TRANSFEREre Enarifrom Hurricanes to the Dragons
TRANSFERApete Narogosigned with Toulon for several seasons
TRANSFERMichaela Brakesigned a new contract with New Zealand Rugby to the end of 2027.
TRANSFERMeryl SmithSigns new contract with Bristol Bears
TRANSFERLiam BelcherSigned a new contract to remain with Cardiff
TRANSFERJohn McKeeSigned for the Welsh region, replacing Marnus van der Merwe
TRANSFEREvie GallagherSigned a new contract with Bristol Bears
Global Rugby. No Filter.
Champions Cup & EPCR · Roundup

Champions Cup & EPCR — Friday 24 April 2026

Friday 24 April 2026

Match of the Day

The Champions Cup semi-final race: Bath vs Northampton Saints

The ultimate fate of the Champions Cup semi-final may be decided in Milton Keynes, giving the winner of the Bath v Northampton Saints quarter-final a "home country advantage" far removed from either city. Though the fixture leading up to this potential semi-final is scheduled at Bath’s home ground, The Rec—due to Bath’s higher seeding (fourth of the round-of-16 qualifiers, compared to Saints’ fifth)—the semi-final itself will likely be hosted at Stadium MK.

This geographical shift is the result of the rules moving from "home venue advantage" to "home country advantage" at the semi-final stage. The 30,530-seat stadium in Milton Keynes is set to be the designated English venue, meaning the eventual winner of the quarter-final pairing must travel there to face their semi-final opponent.

Meanwhile, the drama surrounding the quarter-final was only amplified by the spectacle of Bath’s victory over Northampton Saints. While commentators have heaped superlatives on the contest—ranging from "stunning" to "one of the greatest games in European history"—Chris Hewett suggests the narrative may be overblown, dismissing the drama as simply "just drowning in tries."

The spotlight also shines on Bordeaux, where ex-prop Duncan Bell warned that Bath must somehow "coerce history into repeating itself" to reclaim the blue riband trophy on French soil. After winning the Heineken Cup there in 1998, no British challenger has managed the feat in the nearly 30 years since.

Talking Point
The winner of the Northampton Saints versus Bath fixture is facing a semi-final at a neutral ground in Milton Keynes rather than a traditional home venue, making the "home country advantage" a geographical puzzle rather than a simple crowd draw.
Stats
  • Bath qualified as fourth of the round-of-16 qualifiers.
  • Northampton Saints qualified as fifth of the round-of-16 qualifiers.
  • The semi-final is potentially at Stadium MK, which has 30,530 seats.
  • Bath last won the Heineken Cup in Bordeaux in 1998.
  • Teddy Durand stated that the previous match loss was 42-25 to Stade toulousain.
  • Castres and Lyon are aiming to secure a place in the top eight for next season.

Other Results & News

  • Peter Jackson warned that Bath must replicate their success to win the Heineken Cup on French soil.
  • Teddy Durand confirmed that despite a defeat to Stade toulousain, he and his Castres teammates remain committed to the effort, assuring that "En tant que compétiteurs, on y croit toujours."
  • The race for the Top 14's top eight spot is viewed as essential by clubs for both financial stability and future sporting attraction.
  • The Top 14 fixtures for Sunday feature Toulouse facing Clermont.

Quote of the Day

“
"Peter Jackson: Bordeaux stars will take some beating," warned ex Bath prop Duncan Bell.

Next Up

Next FixtureThe Top 14 continues this week, including a major clash between Toulouse and Clermont on Sunday.