Champions Cup 2023/24: Stade Rochelais to face Leinster in blockbuster opener as Pool fixtures announced

European champions Stade Rochelais will kick off their title defence with a blockbuster clash against Leinster in a repeat of last season’s final, live on TNT Sports. The French giants clinched back-to-back titles by downing their star-studded rivals in Dublin in June, but the Irish side will get a chance for revenge this December.

Ad TNT Sports will have live coverage of the Pool 4 showdown from the Stade Marcel Deflandre on Sunday 10 December. Champions CupDupont could miss season for Toulouse as he targets Paris Olympics dream23/06/2023 AT 16:14 The full Champions Cup Pool stage fixture list was announced on Thursday.

Both European tournaments, the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, kick off over the weekend of 8-10 December with the Finals weekend taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 24 and 25 May 2024. Stade Rochelais face a challenging task from the off in their bid for a hat-trick of European crowns, sharing a Pool with DHL Stormers, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks – who they face in that order following the opener against Leinster.

Scotland international Hogg announces immediate retirement from rugby Returning Australia coach Jones looks to release 'mongrel dogs' on world champs Springboks England hooker Cowan-Dickie joins Sale Sharks, ends 13-year stay at Exeter Chiefs English champions Saracens begin their campaign with a trip to South Africa to face the Vodacom Bulls, with further tests to come in Pool 1 against Connacht, Union Bordeaux-Begles and Lyon. Pool 2 plays host to French Top 14 winners Stade Toulousain, who open at home to Cardiff before facing Harlequins and Ulster away and finishing at home to Bath.