EPCR Diary marker – 2015/16 Fixtures announcement on Friday

Diary marker – 2015/16 Fixtures announcement

The fixtures for the 2015/16 European Rugby Champions Cup season will be announced on Friday (14 August) at 2.00pm.

The dates, venues, kick-off times and broadcasters for Rounds 1 to 4 will be forwarded to media by press release and will also be available on www.epcrugby.com and on social media channels. It is planned to also announce the Challenge Cup fixtures at the same time.

The dates, kick-off times and TV coverage for Rounds 5 and 6 of both the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup will be made available once the Round 4 matches are completed next December.

Following the tournament Pool Draws, the fixtures are decided by a scheduling process which includes consultation with the 40 competing clubs, league bodies and TV broadcasters across each territory.

EPCR is challenged with producing a balanced and fair schedule which takes into account club preferences, restrictions at many shared stadia, date requests associated with moves to larger venues as well as ensuring that the broadcasters are able to cover as many compelling matches as possible from Thursday evening through to Sunday.

2015/16 Champions Cup pools

Pool 1: Saracens, Ulster Rugby, Toulouse, Oyonnax
Pool 2: ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys, Exeter Chiefs, Bordeaux-Bègles
Pool 3: Glasgow Warriors, Northampton Saints, Racing 92, Scarlets
Pool 4: Stade Français Paris, Munster Rugby, Leicester Tigers, Benetton Treviso
Pool 5: Bath Rugby, RC Toulon, Leinster Rugby, Wasps

2015/16 Challenge Cup pools

Pool 1: Connacht Rugby, Brive, Newcastle Falcons, Enisei-STM
Pool 2: Sale Sharks, Newport Gwent Dragons, Castres Olympique, Pau
Pool 3: Montpellier, Harlequins, Cardiff Blues, Cammi Rugby Calvisano
Pool 4: La Rochelle, Gloucester Rugby, Zebre Rugby, Worcester Warriors
Pool 5: Edinburgh Rugby, London Irish, Grenoble, Agen

Tournament weekends

Round 1: 12/13/14/15 November
Round 2: 19/20/21/22 November
Round 3: 10/11/12/13 December
Round 4: 17/18/19/20 December
Round 5: 14/15/16/17 January 2016
Round 6: 21/22/23/24 January 2016
Quarter-finals: 7/8/9/10 April 2016
Semi-finals: 22/23/24 April 2016
Finals: 13/14 May 2016 – Grand Stade de Lyon