Ulster Rugby v La Rochelle

EPCR WELCOME

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM EPCR

2018 promises another exceptional year of action in the European Rugby Champions Cup, and whilst welcoming you to these defining matches in the pool stage, we also wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Last month’s back-to-back fixtures featured all of the intensity, skill and compelling sport that have long characterised this great competition. Anyone who witnessed the style with which ASM Clermont Auvergne ended Saracens’ 20-match unbeaten run in Europe will have been left in no doubt as to their view that the Champions Cup is ‘the one to win’ and the same for the epic tussles between RC Toulon and Bath Rugby and Leinster’s ‘double’ over Exeter Chiefs, the English champions. The diversity of success this season so far is worthy of note as well, with clubs representing each of the three professional domestic leagues well-placed to seal quarter-final berths. Fans have again voted with their feet in support of the Champions Cup with an aggregate of more than half a million attending the opening four rounds. Beyond the borders of Europe’s ‘traditional’ rugby nations, excitement is also growing with almost 50,000 tickets sold for Finals weekend in Bilbao, which is little over one hundred days away. To avoid disappointment, you can secure your place through ChampionsCupRugby.com.

There has been unprecedented interest in staging future European Finals weekends too, with the bidding process in full swing for 2020 and 2021, giving us the opportunity for outstanding rugby experiences in new and exciting venues. We are delighted to be joined once again by Official Partners Heineken and Turkish Airlines, Official Supporter, Tissot, and Official Supplier, Gilbert. Moreover, we are enjoying another season of top quality coverage from our broadcast partners BT Sport, Sky Sports, beIN SPORTS and France Télévisions, taking the premium tournaments of European club rugby to homes across the world. As well as their coverage, you can stay close to the heart of the competitions through the official website and social media channels, where you can play our exciting Fantasy Rugby game as well as having the chance to win some superb prizes by selecting your Try of the Round after each matchweek. Enjoy the match and best wishes for 2018,

Simon Halliday EPCR Chairman