European semi-final kick-off dates and times confirmed

David Skippers
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File photo dated 10-03-2018 of A general view of the Aviva Stadium. .

The dates, venues and kick-off times for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals on the September 25-26 weekend have been announced.

The winners of the Leinster Rugby v Saracens and the Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92 Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals will meet in the semi-final on Saturday, September 26.

The second semi-final, also on Saturday, September 26, will feature the winners of the Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints and Toulouse v Ulster Rugby quarter-finals.

On an exceptional basis to facilitate the conclusion of the season, EPCR can confirm that the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage in the semi-finals. (See permutations below).

In the Challenge Cup, the winners of the Bristol Bears v Dragons and Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby quarter-finals will play one another on Friday, September 25 while the winners of the Toulon v Scarlets and Leicester Tigers v Castres quarter-finals will meet on Saturday, September 26.

The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage as per the traditional Challenge Cup format.

Champions Cup semi-finals – Saturday, September 26

Semi-final One: Winner Leinster/Saracens v winner Clermont Auvergne/Racing 92
Kick-off: 13:00 (UK-Irish time) or 14:00 (French time)

Semi-final Two: Winner Exeter Chiefs/Northampton Saints v winner Toulouse/Ulster
Kick-off: 15:30 (UK-Irish time) or 16:30 (French time)

Semi-final One
If Leinster Rugby (ranked No 1) and Clermont Auvergne (ranked No 4) win their quarter-finals, Leinster will have home venue advantage.

If Leinster (ranked No 1) and Racing 92 (ranked No 5) win their quarter-finals, Leinster will have home venue advantage.

If Clermont Auvergne (ranked No 4) and Saracens (ranked No 8) win their quarter-finals, Clermont will have home venue advantage.

If Racing 92 (ranked No 5) and Saracens (ranked No 8) win their quarter-finals, Racing will have home venue advantage.

Semi-final Two
If Exeter Chiefs (ranked No 2) and Toulouse (ranked No 3) win their quarter-finals, Exeter will have home venue advantage.

If Exeter Chiefs (ranked No 2) and Ulster Rugby (ranked No 6) win their quarter-finals, Exeter will have home venue advantage.

If Toulouse (ranked No 3) and Northampton Saints (ranked No 7) win their quarter-finals, Toulouse will have home venue advantage.

If Ulster Rugby (ranked No 6) and Northampton Saints (ranked No 7) win their quarter-finals, Ulster will have home venue advantage.

Challenge Cup semi-finals

Friday, September 26
Semi-final One: Winner Bristol Bears/Dragons v winner Bordeaux–Bègles/Edinburgh
Kick-off: 19:45 (UK time) or 20:45 (French time)

Saturday, September 26
Semi-final Two: Winner Toulon/Scarlets v winner Leicester Tigers/Castres
Kick-off: 20:00 (UK time) or 21:00 (French time)

Semi-final One
If Toulon (ranked No 1) and Leicester Tigers (ranked No 4) win their quarter-finals, Toulon will have home venue advantage.

If Toulon (ranked No 1) and Castres (ranked No 5) win their quarter-finals, Toulon will have home venue advantage.

If Leicester Tigers (ranked No 4) and Scarlets (ranked No 8) win their quarter-finals, Leicester will have home venue advantage.

If Castres (ranked No 5) and Scarlets (ranked No 8) win their quarter-finals, Castres will have home venue advantage.

Semi-final Two
If Bristol Bears (ranked No 2) and Bordeaux-Bègles (ranked No 3) win their quarter-finals, Bristol will have home venue advantage.

If Bristol Bears (ranked No 2) and Edinburgh (ranked No 6) win their quarter-finals, Bristol will have home venue advantage.

If Bordeaux-Bègles (ranked No 3) and Dragons (ranked No 7) win their quarter-finals, Bordeaux-Bègles will have home venue advantage.

If Edinburgh (ranked No 6) and Dragons (ranked No 7) win their quarter-finals, Edinburgh will have home venue advantage.

The Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-finals in England and Ireland are currently scheduled to be played behind closed doors. Attendances for quarter-finals in France will be limited and clubs can apply to their local authorities for increases.

Bristol