Semi Final Venues Announced

[Stumpy]

Champions Cup semi-finals
(Kick-off times to be announced)

Saturday, 23 April
SF1: if Saracens v Wasps - Madejski Stadium
if Northampton Saints v Wasps - Madejski Stadium
if Exeter Chiefs v Saracens - Madejski Stadium
if Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints - Madejski Stadium

Sunday, 24 April
SF2: if Leicester Tigers v Racing 92 - City Ground
if Stade Français Paris v Racing 92 - MMArena, Le Mans
if RC Toulon v Leicester Tigers - Allianz Riviera, Nice
if RC Toulon v Stade Français Paris - Allianz Riviera, Nice

2016 Champions Cup final: Saturday, 14 May; Grand Stade de Lyon (17.45)


Challenge Cup semi-finals - 22/23/24 April
(Exact dates and kick-off times to be announced)

SF1: if Harlequins v Grenoble - Twickenham Stoop
if Connacht Rugby v Harlequins - The Sportsground
if Connacht Rugby v London Irish - The Sportsground
if London Irish v Grenoble - Madejski Stadium

SF2: if Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks - Kingsholm
if Newport Gwent Dragons v Sale Sharks - Rodney Parade
if Montpellier v Gloucester Rugby - Altrad Stadium
if Montpellier v Newport Gwent Dragons - Altrad Stadium

2016 Challenge Cup final: Friday, 13 May; Grand Stade de Lyon (21.00)

http://www.epcrugby.com/news/32705.php#.Vv0YzUBDsdt

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

English teams offering the bright lights of Reading and Nottingham

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bit bull**** that we have no chance of a home semi. We topped our group so why should Newport get it over us if it goes that way?

 

[RedruthRFC]

Bit bull**** that we have no chance of a home semi. We topped our group so why should Newport get it over us if it goes that way?

It all seems very vague, according to a quote from EPRC, it is based on "performances by clubs during the pool stages as well as the achievement of a winning a quarter-final match away from home". So it appears that beating the number two seeds away from home despite finishing runner up in your pool trumps topping your pool and winning a home quarter final against the 6th seeds.

Edit: it's explained better here:

http://www.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychampionscup/rules.php

It seems like more wieght is given to winning an away quarter - third and fourth seeds can't possibly get a home semi-final as they'll always either play away to a higher seed who also won their quarter final or away to a lower seed who won brownie points by winning their away quarter final.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wish we hadn't have battered Newport so much in the last game, then.
I'd feel happier going to Kingsholm than having Montpellier coming to us, and then there's the chance of the home semi final afterwards.