The quest for European glory gets underway again.
Irish provinces have won the European Cup on seven occasions since the competition got underway in the 1995/96 season. La Rochelle are reigning Champions Cup honchos, having seen off Leinster in the last two finals.
Our live rugby hub has you covered for all the team news, big moments, best scores, quotes and pundit reactions. Connacht and Ulster lost badly, Munster drew with Bayonne and Leinster beat La Rochelle. It was an incident-packed affair, with two players sin-binned after only 11 minutes, and the ref far from happy:
Double yellow 🟨
Jonathan Danty and Joe McCarthy will both spend 10 on the sidelines for this incident.#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/ZT4T4cLn23
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 10, 2023
With Ciarán Frawley helping to clinch victory at the death:
"That is an almighty kick! It's a monster!" 🤯
Ciaran Frawley slots an incredible 60m penalty to break @leinsterrugby's drought over @staderochelais in the #InvestecChampionsCup! pic.twitter.com/vsoQFr8Wv9
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 10, 2023
Click on the key point you want to read about, or just keep scrolling to see updates in our live hub [below]:
Irish provinces targeting Champions Cup glory
On the latest House of Rugby episode, myself and Lindsay Peat ran the rule over each of the four provinces as they got set to embark on their latest Champions Cup journeys.
Ulster’s lack of consistency (once again) frustrates and them losing at home to Edinburgh is a big worry. Munster are showing very positive signs and warmed up for their game against Bayonne by blitzing Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park. Munster legends Keith Earls and Andrew Conway are getting big send-offs from the faithful during that match-day at Thomond Park, on saturday evening.
“I’m a huge Leinster fan,” said Lindsay Peat, “and was delighted they won, but we robbed it. Absolutely robbed Connacht blind. Connacht did deserve to win. Some of their rugby was exceptional.
“Mack Hansen was only back but was unbelievable… I like him at 15. He’s an ex-10 so he’s obviously a smart player, but he just oozes this ‘I don’t give a shite’ mentality. You’d forgive people for thinking that this lad loves himself but we’ve met him [on this show] and talked to him before. He’s just a really down to earth guy that takes it all in his stride.”
Check out that latest House of Rugby episode below.
PAT MCCARRY & LINDSAY PEAT ON HOUSE OF RUGBY
Related articles:
- Majors changes as Ireland’s ‘Top 20 most important rugby players’ list updated
- ‘It’s pretty fake if you think everything is going to be rosy’ – ROG on Johnny Sexton rivalry
- “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that” – Siya Kolisi makes incredible speech after World Cup triumph
- “An unbelievable find” – Brian Gleeson and five other Ireland prospects to watch in the URC
- Johnny Sexton linked with swift return to Ireland as Mike Catt set to depart
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
