Champions Cup: Two-leg format scrapped as fixtures are confirmed for 2022/23 European season

Dylan Coetzee

2J4MHEK Twickenham, United Kingdom. 16th Apr, 2022. Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 Rugby. Harlequins V Montpelier. Twickenham Stoop. Twickenham. Corner flag with the Heineken Champions Cup words and logo during the Harlequins V Montpelier Heineken Champions Cup round of 16, 2nd leg, rugby match. Credit: Sport In Pictures/Alamy Live News

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has scrapped the two-leg Round-of-16 format as fixtures are announced for the 2022/23 season.

The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will be played over eight weeks with two pool stage matches in December, with the following round to take place in January 2023 over consecutive weekends.

Two-leg format scrapped

The Round-of-16 will begin on March 31 followed immediately by the quarter-finals beginning on April 7, with the semi-finals starting on the final weekend of April.

The two finals will be played on May 19 and May 20 in 2023.

EPCR Chief Executive, Anthony Lepage, is happy to have fans back in the stands and is looking forward to the finals later this month.

“We are coming to the climax of what has been a challenging season for European club rugby, and have been able to welcome fans back to stadia from the recommencement of our competitions at the beginning of April,” Lepage said.

“We have seen the very best EPCR competitions have to offer and are building towards what will no doubt be a sensational weekend of rugby for our Finals later this month.

“As we look ahead to next season, we are pleased to announce the dates of our competitions and we will be announcing the formats in the coming weeks.”

2022/23 European weekends

Round 1 – 9/10/11 December 2022

Round 2 – 16/17/18 December 2022

Round 3 – 13/14/15 January 2023

Round 4 – 20/21/22 January 2023

Round-of-16 – 31 March/ 1/2 April 2023

Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April 2023

Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April 2023

Challenge Cup final – Friday 19 May 2023

Champions Cup final – Saturday 20 May 2023

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