The Champions Cup pool stage is reaching a crucial point, with the next two weekends determining the Round of 16 lineup and likely shaping the path to the final. The competition has seen a strong home advantage in recent seasons, with very few away teams advancing in knockout stages. Top contenders like Toulouse, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux-Begles are vying for seeding advantages, leading to a tense battle for supremacy.
La Rochelle 's wing Teddy Thomas is tackled by Leinster 's scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park during the Champions Cup quarter-final between Leinster and Stade Rochelais at the Aviva stadium on April 13th, 2024. Photogtaph: Paul Faith/AFPreturns next weekend with nothing like the fanfare or sense of anticipation at this juncture under the old order.
Toulouse dropped to second after a 22-19 loss away to La Rochelle, albeit with virtually a third-string side as Ugo Mola rested his frontliners, and even then were only denied by a soft, late penalty. Next Sunday’s reprise of the 2022 and 2023 finals looks like deciding Pool 2, as well as other ramifications. Leinster host Bath at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday week, while La Rochelle go to Treviso.
That could inject the competition with a whole new lease of life. Furthermore, if the Sharks give Toulouse a bloody nose in King Park, talk is that John Plumtree will bring all his frontliners to Bordeaux for their Pool One finale on Sunday week.
Champions Cup Rugby Union Leinster La Rochelle Toulouse Bordeaux-Begles
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