Rugby Union Today: Champions Cup previews and short side

Colin Newboult

Glasgow Warriors' Stuart Hogg

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we look ahead to this weekend’s quarter-finals in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

What’s on the site

It is a big weekend in the Champions Cup and we look ahead to all four encounters as Edinburgh take on Munster, Saracens host Glasgow Warriors, Leinster face Ulster and Toulouse visit Racing 92.

The Challenge Cup also has some interesting ties, with Clermont v Northampton the standout contest, and we have discussed the main talking points in ‘the short side.’

Finally, in the southern hemisphere, it was a good day for the Crusaders, who beat New Zealand rivals Hurricanes, while the Sunwolves stunned the Waratahs in Sydney. Check out highlights of both those matches here.

What’s in the news

All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris will make his 50th appearance for the Chiefs when he takes to the field against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Scott Johnson has stated his intentions after becoming director of rugby at the Australian national team. The former Scotland head honcho is charged with altering the Wallabies’ fortunes after a disappointing 2018, which saw them win just four of 13 games.

Finally, Argentina legend Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe will quit Toulon to become assistant coach with Los Pumas, despite initially being under contract with the French outfit until 2020.

What’s on social media

One hugely positive news story this week has been the return to action of Cornell du Preez from a serious injury and he is on the bench for Worcester’s game with Harlequins in the Challenge Cup,

What’s on TV

It is Champions Cup quarter-final weekend on BT Sport with them showing Edinburgh v Munster, Saracens v Glasgow, Leinster v Ulster and Racing 92 v Toulouse, while they are also televising the Challenge Cup last-eight encounters.

On Sky Sports, Super Rugby has reached Round Seven, which started with the Crusaders defeating the Hurricanes, and it continues on Saturday as the Blues and Stormers open proceedings at Eden Park.

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