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European Rugby Champions Cup

Established in 1995 and formerly known as the Heineken Cup, this prestigious club competition involves 20 leading teams from countries whose national sides contest the Six Nations Championship. Teams who do not qualify for the Champions Cup enter the second-tier European Rugby Challenge Cup.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

The Kansas City Chiefs have just signed former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, which means his new teammates include Taylor Swift’s beau Travis Kelce. Photos: @lrzammit/Instagram

Fame and celebrity

Who is Louis Rees-Zammit, the ex-rugby player joining Travis Kelce in the NFL?

Former rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit – who hails from a small town in Wales with a population of less than 30,000 – is now part of the NFL’s biggest team, the Kansas City Chiefs … here’s what we know about him

5 Apr 2024 - 2:00PM

Hong Kong China Rugby

Ospreys’ new owner on why now is the time to buy a rugby club

22 May 2020 - 11:05AM

Saracens docked 35 points and fined for breaching salary cap rules

5 Nov 2019 - 8:37PM

‘They sell morality but don’t possess any’: Toulon rugby boss set for hearing

20 Feb 2018 - 1:40PM

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is in hot water. Photo: AFP

England coach Eddie Jones slammed for training injury madness that will see Sam Jones and Anthony Watson miss autumn tests

Eddie Jones found himself facing major criticism for the first time as England coach after a controversial training session saw Wasps flanker Sam Jones break his leg and Bath wing Anthony Watson fracture his jaw.

8 Oct 2016 - 2:21AM

No regrets: Racing 92 defend selection of injured Dan Carter after Euro loss to Saracens

Beaten finalists Racing 92 have “no regrets” over the selection of Dan Carter for the European Rugby Champions Cup final despite the former All Blacks legend nursing an injury, forwards coach Laurent Travers said this week.

20 May 2016 - 6:58PM

Super Rugby 2016

Wallabies flanker Liam Gill set to join exodus to Toulon

Wallabies openside flanker Liam Gill is heading overseas to play in France at the end of the Super Rugby season in a blow for the ailing Queensland Reds and Australian rugby.

11 Feb 2016 - 8:41PM

Liam Gill scoring for Australia against China in a pool match at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2010. Photo: Martin Chan/SCMP

Hong Kong China Rugby

Dan Carter’s Racing 92 edge Super Rugby champions Highlanders in Natixis Cup try-fest

Dan Carter’s Racing 92 won a battle of the hemispheres when they edged Super Rugby champions the Highlanders 45-38 in a try-fest to lift the Natixis Cup in Hong Kong on Saturday.

6 Feb 2016 - 11:49PMvideocam

Hong Kong China Rugby

Highlanders planning high-tempo test for Racing 92 in Natixis Cup clash in Hong Kong

The reigning Super Rugby champion Highlanders aim to kick-start the defence of their crown with a hard-and-fast running game when they meet in-form French club Racing 92 at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground in Hong Kong on Saturday.

5 Feb 2016 - 6:13PMvideocam

Hong Kong China Rugby

Friends and foes: Racing 92’s Dan Carter encounters familiar faces in Hong Kong’s Natixis Cup

All Blacks World Cup star Dan Carter is preparing to play a big role for Racing 92 against reigning Super Rugby champions the Highlanders in the Natixis Cup at Siu Sai Wan stadium on Saturday.

4 Feb 2016 - 8:15PMvideocam

Dan Carter and his Racing 92 team-mates prepare for Saturday’s Natixis Cup clash against the Highlanders. Photos: Dickson Lee/SCMP

Clermont the big losers on dramatic final weekend of Champions Cup group games

French side Clermont Auvergne spurned a late penalty which would have sent them through to the quarter-finals as Exeter Chiefs and Stade Français progressed in a dramatic finale to the European Rugby Champions Cup group stage on Sunday.

25 Jan 2016 - 2:01PM

Clermont flanker Fritz Lee is tackled by the Bordeaux-Bègles defence during their European Rugby Champions Cup clash at Stade Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand on Sunday. Photo: AFP

European champions Toulon battle early exit fears

Defending European champions Toulon may be looking at quitting France for the English Premiership but their most pressing concern is avoiding an exit from Europe this weekend.

22 Jan 2016 - 11:17AM

Clermont target last eight after bruising Champions Cup win over Bordeaux

Last year’s runners-up Clermont stayed on course for the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-finals Friday after winning a bad-tempered all-French clash against Bordeaux-Bègles.

22 Jan 2016 - 11:13AM

Hong Kong China Rugby

Life’s no beach for Hong Kong-bound Dan Carter despite leading Racing 92 to top of table

Dan Carter admitted having to shelve thoughts of a warm New Zealand beach as he battled driving rain and wind to lead Racing 92 to the top of the Top 14 table in a hard-fought 23-18 victory over Bordeaux-Bègles late Saturday.

9 Jan 2016 - 9:04AM

Racing 92 fly-half Dan Carter (right) runs with the ball during a French Top 14 triumph over Bordeaux-Bègles late Saturday at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in Colombes. Photos: AFP

Hong Kong China Rugby

All Blacks World Cup hero Dan Carter to play in Hong Kong with his new club Racing 92

Former All Blacks superstar Dan Carter will play in Hong Kong on February 6 when his French club side Racing 92 tackle reigning Super Rugby champions Highlanders in the Natixis Cup.

11 Dec 2015 - 11:49PM

Dan Carter, whom many regard as the game's best fly-half, works out in Paris with his Racing 92 team-mates. Photo: AFP

Saracens mount stunning fightback against Ulster for second European win

Saracens fought back from 9-0 down to defeat Ulster 27-9 at a rain-swept Belfast on Friday to make it two wins from two in their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign.

22 Nov 2015 - 2:13AM

Super Rugby 2016

Cream of Super 15 and European rugby ‘to clash in Hong Kong’

The Super Rugby-winning Highlanders are set to take on European Rugby Champions Cup holders Toulon in Hong Kong early next year, the French Top 14 club announced on Wednesday.

15 Aug 2015 - 2:39PM

Skipper Carl Hayman says Toulon’s European hat-trick will be hard to beat

Toulon captain Carl Hayman reckons teams will have their work cut out trying to match his side’s unprecedented achievement of being crowned kings of Europe in three successive seasons.

4 May 2015 - 1:35PM

The triumphant Toulon players celebrate with the silverware after beating Clermont 24-18 on Saturday to capture their third successive European Rugby Champions Cup. Photos: AFP

Toulon capture historic third straight Euro crown with thrilling late victory over Clermont

Drew Mitchell’s brilliant late try ensured Toulon became the first club to win three consecutive European titles as they beat French rivals Clermont 24-18 in a thrilling final at Twickenham on Saturday.

4 May 2015 - 10:16AM

Toulon zero in on third straight Euro crown but shun ‘favourites’ tag

Toulon’s bid to be crowned kings of Europe for an unprecedented third successive season will see their star-studded side up against familiar foes when they take on French rivals Clermont in Saturday’s final at Twickenham.

3 May 2015 - 2:08AM

Rest assured as Clermont, Toulon eye Twickenham final

Top 14 leading duo Toulon and Clermont return to domestic duties on Saturday with one eye on their European Rugby Champions Cup final next Sunday.

3 May 2015 - 1:55AM

Toulon’s South African winger Bryan Habana (right) collides with Leinster wing Fergus McFadden during their European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final. Toulon won 25-20 in extra-time after the match had ended 12-12 on 80 minutes. Photo: AFP

Rugby World Cup 2015

Wallaby Quade Cooper signs for French giants Toulon

Australia fly-half Quade Cooper has signed a two-year contract to play for French champions Toulon, the club announced on its website on Friday.

26 Apr 2015 - 8:11PM

Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper (left) will join French Top 14 outfit Toulon next season. Photo: AFP

France the battleground for Champions Cup semis

Defending champions Toulon will put their crown on the line this weekend when they meet Irish contenders Leinster in the semi-finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup, while English champions Saracens will taken on Clermont.

17 Apr 2015 - 8:57PM

Saracens expect Owen Farrell back for Euro semis clash against Clermont

England fly-half Owen Farrell is set to be available for Saracens' European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final against French side Clermont next weekend, the London club said Saturday.

12 Apr 2015 - 12:48PM

Saints end English title jinx in dramatic style

Northampton Saints became English rugby union champions for the first time in their history on Saturday after beating Saracens 24-20 with a last-minute try by Alex Waller in extra-time in the Premiership final at Twickenham.

1 Jun 2014 - 9:03AM

Northhampton lock Courtney Lawes is tackled by Bath hooker Tom Dunn during last week’s European Challenge Cup final. On Saturday, Saints became English champions for the first time when they beat Saracens 24-20 at Twickenham. Photo: AFP

Rugby World Cup 2015

England leave door ajar for Toulon star Steffon Armitage

Steffon Armitage's ongoing England exile is set to continue for at least another season, but coach Stuart Lancaster said it was possible the newly-crowned European player of the year could be recalled for the 2015 World Cup.

26 Sep 2014 - 9:23PM

Steffon Armitage, who this week helped Toulon retain the European Cup and was then named European player of the year, may be treated as a “special case” by England’s RWC selectors. Photo: AFP

Wilkinson hails Giteau and says time is right to bow out

Jonny Wilkinson said playing alongside "inspirational" former Australia centre Matt Giteau had convinced him now was the right time to retire.

26 May 2014 - 1:59PM

Pinning down Matt Giteau pivotal to European Cup glory: Saracens boss

Saracens coach Mark McCall has told his side they must contain Australia's Matt Giteau if they are to beat Toulon in Saturday's European Cup final in Cardiff.

24 May 2014 - 8:55PM

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