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BBC Rugby Union: European Knockout Rugby Takes Centre Stage This Weekend
Published: 10:39 BST, 6 April 2024 | Updated: 20:11 BST, 6 April 2024
As the BBC rugby union competition heats up, six English clubs are set to compete in the last-16 of the Investec Champions Cup this weekend, vying for a place in the quarter-finals. While five of the ties are repeats of matches from the pool stages, BBC sport rugby union enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting weekend of European knockout rugby union gameplay.
The Bulls will be hoping to avenge their narrow 29-28 defeat to Lyon in the group stage when they host the French side in South Africa. However, the Bulls suffered a heavy loss against Leinster last weekend, ending their impressive six-match winning run. Despite Lyon’s struggle in the French TOP14, their rugby union backline, featuring Springbok stars Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse, will pose a significant threat.
Elsewhere, Exeter host Bath in a repeat of their 41-24 defeat in December, as the two sides look to bounce back from poor recent form. The battle at outside centre between England internationals Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence will be one to watch.
“With a host of tantalising BBC rugby union matchups, rugby union enthusiasts are in for a thrilling weekend of knockout action across Europe.”
In Cape Town, South African giants Stormers will welcome the reigning European champions, La Rochelle, who are bidding for a third consecutive Investec Champions Cup title. However, La Rochelle have not been as dominant in the BBC rugby union this season, sitting fifth in the TOP14.
Saracens’ wealth of European experience may not be enough to overcome the star-studded backline of in-form Bordeaux, who cruised to a 55-15 victory over the English champions in the group stage. The absence of influential fly-half Owen Farrell, who misses out due to a hamstring injury, is a significant blow for Saracens.
Leinster, who have been unstoppable since the turn of the year, face a Leicester side with nothing to lose in Dublin, while Northampton host a Munster team who scraped through the group stages.
Finally, the highly anticipated clash between French giants Toulouse and Racing 92 will see the return of France’s BBC rugby union star, Antoine Dupont, as Toulouse aim to extend their record-breaking European success.
With a host of tantalising BBC rugby union matchups, rugby union enthusiasts are in for a thrilling weekend of knockout action across Europe.
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