All the Champions Cup semi-finals will take place in Europe, the EPCR has confirmed. Even if the South African teams, the Sharks and Stormers, win their quarter-finals, they could potentially host games in England.
If the two sides do qualify as the top-ranked side in their semi-final, they will host their games in London.
Sharks at StoneX and Stormers at the Stoop
“As previously referenced and agreed with SARU, if a South African representative happens to qualify for a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final as a highest-ranked club, the match will be staged at a venue in Europe,” an EPCR statement said.
If the Sharks beat Toulouse in the quarter-final and Leicester Tigers defeat Leinster, the South African side will host the Tigers at StoneX stadium – Saracens‘ home ground.
If the Stormers defeat Exeter Chiefs and Saracens beat La Rochelle in the quarter-finals, the Capetonians will host the Saracens at the Twickenham Stoop.
Meanwhile, La Rochelle will host their semi-final at Matmut ATLANTIQUE in Bordeaux if they will their quarter-final. The same applies to Toulouse.
As for Exeter, if they and Saracens win their quarter-finals, the Chiefs will host the Londoners at Ashton Gate – the home of Bristol Bears.
The Champions Cup semi-finals will take place on the weekend of 28/29/30 April.
The stadiums have been selected after consultation with Premiership Rugby, the United Rugby Championship, and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby.
The clubs with the highest rankings from the pool stage of the tournament will earn home country advantage for the matches.
Once the semi-finalists are confirmed, the dates, venues, kick-off times, and TV will be announced.
Possible semi-final matches and venues – 28/29/30 April
Leinster Rugby (A1) v either Toulouse (B2) or Sharks (A3) – Aviva Stadium, Dublin (capacity: 51,700).
Toulouse (B2) v Leicester Tigers (B4) – Matmut ATLANTIQUE, Bordeaux (capacity: 42,100).
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Sharks (A3) v Leicester Tigers (B4) – StoneX Stadium, London (capacity: 10,300)
La Rochelle (B1) v either Exeter Chiefs (A2) or Stormers (B3) – Matmut ATLANTIQUE, Bordeaux (capacity: 42,100).
Exeter Chiefs (A2) v Saracens (A4) – Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol (capacity: 27,000).
Stormers (B3) v Saracens (A4) – Twickenham Stoop, London (capacity: 14,800)
Champions Cup Quarter-finals
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)
Friday
QF 1: Leinster Rugby (A1) v Leicester Tigers (B4), Aviva Stadium (20.00)
Saturday
QF 2: Toulouse (B2) v Sharks (A3), Stade Ernest Wallon (16.00)
QF 3: Exeter Chiefs (A2) v Stormers (B3), Sandy Park (17.30)
Sunday
QF 4: La Rochelle (B1) v Saracens (A4), Stade Marcel Deflandre (16.00)
Champions Cup Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2
SF 2: Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4
2023 Champions Cup final: Saturday, 20 May; Aviva Stadium, Dublin (16.45)