In the upcoming 2023-24 pool stage of the Heineken Champions Cup, last season’s finalists La Rochelle and Leinster will once again meet, promising an exciting rematch of their epic final.
La Rochelle, the reigning champions who have triumphed in the previous two Champions Cups, have emerged victorious against Leinster in both encounters. Their most recent showdown in May ended with a nail-biting score of 27-26, with La Rochelle making an impressive comeback from a 17-0 deficit at halftime.
Pooling in with both clubs in Pool 4 are Premiership contenders Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks, along with Stade Francais and South Africa’s Stormers.
Meanwhile, Premiership champions Saracens find themselves in Pool 1 alongside Bristol Bears and Connacht. Pool 2 consists of Bath, Harlequins, Cardiff Rugby, and Ulster. Pool 3 showcases Exeter Chiefs, Northampton Saints, Munster, and last year’s Challenge Cup runners-up, Glasgow Warriors.
For the 2023-24 season, the European Rugby Champions and Challenge Cup competitions will revert to a multi-pool format. The Champions Cup will feature 24 teams divided into four pools of six, while the 18-team Challenge Cup will be split into three pools of six. Each team will participate in four matches within their respective pools, avoiding matchups against other teams from their own nation or league.
The tournament kicks off on Friday, December 8, following the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, which runs from September 8 to October 28. The highly anticipated finals will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 24-25, 2024.
In the Challenge Cup pool stage draw, conducted prior to the Champions Cup, Premiership clubs Gloucester and Newcastle Falcons discovered their opponents. Newcastle joins Pool 2, facing Ospreys, Benetton Rugby, Lions, USAP, and Montpellier. Gloucester finds themselves in Pool 3, competing against Edinburgh Rugby, Scarlets, Castres, Clermont Auvergne, and an as-yet-undetermined invitee club.
Toulon currently holds the Challenge Cup title, having dominated the 2023 final with a convincing 43-19 victory over first-time finalists Glasgow Warriors.
2023-24 Challenge Cup Pool Stage:
Pool 1: Invitee 1, Section Paloise, Dragons, Zebre, Oyannax, Sharks
Pool 2: Ospreys, USAP, Newcastle Falcons, Lions, Montpellier, Benetton Rugby
Pool 3: Edinburgh, Castres, Clermont Auvergne, Invitee 2, Gloucester, Scarlets
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Heineken Champions Cup rematch
Q: Which teams will face each other in the 2023-24 Heineken Champions Cup pool stage?
A: La Rochelle and Leinster will have a rematch of their previous epic final in the upcoming pool stage of the Heineken Champions Cup.
Q: Who are the reigning champions in the Champions Cup?
A: La Rochelle currently holds the title, having won back-to-back Champions Cups in the past two seasons.
Q: How many teams are participating in the Champions Cup?
A: The Champions Cup features 24 teams divided into four pools of six, competing for the ultimate European rugby title.
Q: When will the pool stage matches begin?
A: The first round of fixtures will kick off on Friday, December 8, following the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Q: Where will the 2024 Champions Cup finals be held?
A: The finals of the 2023-24 Champions Cup will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 24-25, 2024.
Q: What is the format of the Challenge Cup?
A: The Challenge Cup, the second-tier competition, consists of 18 teams divided into three pools of six, participating in a pool stage before advancing to knockout rounds.
Q: Who is the current holder of the Challenge Cup?
A: Toulon is the reigning Challenge Cup champion, having emerged victorious in the 2023 final against Glasgow Warriors.
Q: When will the Challenge Cup pool stage matches begin?
A: The Challenge Cup pool stage matches will commence simultaneously with the Champions Cup pool stage matches on Friday, December 8.
Q: Are there any notable English clubs in the Challenge Cup?
A: Gloucester and Newcastle Falcons are two prominent Premiership clubs participating in the Challenge Cup.
Q: What is the venue for the 2024 Challenge Cup finals?
A: The location for the 2024 Challenge Cup finals is yet to be announced.
More about Heineken Champions Cup rematch
- Heineken Champions Cup Official Website
- La Rochelle Rugby Club Official Website
- Leinster Rugby Official Website
- European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) Official Website
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Official Website
- Rugby World Cup 2023 Official Website
- Challenge Cup Official Website
- Toulon Rugby Club Official Website
- Glasgow Warriors Official Website
5 comments
can’t wait for the pool stage! gonna be some intense rugby action! #rugbyfever
la rochelle rocks! back to back champs! gonna crush it again! #ChampionsCup
toulon ruling the challenge cup! they are unstoppable! bring on the finals! #ChallengeCup
wow la rochelle and leinster will face each other again! rematch! this is gonna be epic!!
the champions cup is getting bigger and better with 24 teams! gonna be a thrilling competition! #rugbyexcitement