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Heineken Champions Cup: How the last 16 shapes up after pool stage

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Exeter celebrate Sam Simmonds' try against Montpellier
Exeter will face Munster in a mouthwatering last-16 tie

The last 16 of the Champions Cup has been finalised.

Going into this weekend's round of pool games, seven teams had already secured progression.

But with nine qualifying spots and seedings up for grabs, the pool stage's conclusion promised twists and turns as teams battled to be a part of rugby's premier club competition in the spring.

And despite further Covid-enforced match cancellations, it did not disappoint.

We take a look at how the round of 16 shapes up as the Champions Cup is put to bed until April.

Who made it through?

Where better to start than the final pool game of the season between Montpellier and 2020 winners Exeter Chiefs?

Victory for the Chiefs would have set up an all-Premiership encounter with Bristol Bears, but they instead now look forward to a meeting with Munster as defeat saw them finish sixth in Pool A.

The Irish province beat Wasps earlier on Sunday to secure third spot in Pool B, having won all four games, and Johann van Graan's side will be at home in the second leg.

Securing a bonus-point win over Exeter sealed seventh place for Montpellier and the Top 14 outfit can now prepare for a knockout tie against Premiership champions Harlequins.

Ulster had already secured their spot in the next round before beating Clermont on Saturday, and Dan McFarland's side's reward for winning all four games is a meeting with holders Toulouse.

The Top 14 champions were angered by European Professional Club Rugby's decision to cancel their game against Cardiff because of positive Covid cases in the French club's squad.

While elimination was possible, Toulouse ultimately finished seventh and will return to Belfast's Kingspan Stadium, where they ran out 29-22 winners in December 2020.

As for three-time finalists Clermont, they will take on Premiership leaders Leicester, with the two-time winners topping Pool A having been awarded a 28-0 win over Bordeaux-Begles after a Covid outbreak in the French squad forced the cancellation of Saturday's game.

Also emerging out of Pool B were Bristol, who are still unbeaten after three wins and a draw. The Bears' reward for securing a top-four place is an all-Premiership tie against Sale after the Sharks sealed fifth spot in Pool A with a comprehensive seven-try win over Ospreys on Sunday.

The sides have already met this season, of course, with the Bears running out 32-15 winners at Ashton Gate earlier this month.

Leicester will face Clermont for a place in the quarter-finals
Unbeaten Leicester will face Clermont after topping Pool B

No team has scored more tries in this season's Champions Cup than Leinster, with the four-time winners racking up 30 - and that despite having to accept a 28-0 defeat by Montpellier in December following a Covid outbreak in the Irish side's camp.

However, Leo Cullen's side - chasing a first title since 2018 - subsequently issued an emphatic statement by thumping Montpellier 89-7 in Dublin before securing a 64-7 win at Bath to clinch fourth spot in Pool A.

Leinster's opponents - Connacht - need no introduction to Cullen's side.

The cancellation of the Toulouse-Cardiff game guaranteed Andy Friend's side passage to the last 16 for the first time in the province's history.

But while qualification was already in the bag, Connacht's trip to Paris to face Stade Francais still produced fireworks.

Stade needed a bonus-point win with a margin of at least six points to replace Cardiff in eighth in Pool B, but their hopes appeared bleak when Jarrad Butler's converted try put Connacht 11 points ahead in Paris.

But Stade - reduced to 14 following hooker Tolu Latu's dismissal - roared back into it with Ryan Chapuis and Adrien Lapegue tries propelling them into a three-point lead.

And having missed an 80th-minute penalty, replacement fly-half Segonds made no mistake when presented with a second opportunity in a frantic end to the game.

Stade's eighth-place finish in Pool B puts them on a collision course with Pool A winners and Top 14 rivals Racing92. Neither of the Paris clubs have won the Champions Cup.

Another all-French encounter between Bordeaux and 2021 beaten finalists La Rochelle completes the last 16 ties.

Who missed out?

Glasgow were knocked out following Montpellier's victory over Exeter
Montpellier's win over Exeter on Sunday eliminated Glasgow

Montpellier's bonus-point win over Exeter knocked Glasgow Warriors out of the competition. The Scottish side's fate was out of their own hands having lost 38-30 to La Rochelle on Saturday.

Glasgow drop down to the Challenge Cup, where they will be joined by Northampton Saints and Bath, who finished 10th and 11th in Pool A.

Ospreys' defeat by Sale on Sunday ended the Welsh club's involvement in European competition this season.

The same fate befell Ospreys' rivals Scarlets, who finished bottom of Pool B. While there will be no Welsh representation in the Champions Cup knockout rounds, Cardiff finished ninth in Pool B and will have Challenge Cup rugby to play in the spring.

Wasps and Castres also finished outside Pool B's top eight following disappointing campaigns.

When are the games and how does it work?

The Champions Cup round of 16 first-leg games will take place between 8-10 April, with the return legs scheduled for 15-17 April.

The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool - Racing, Ulster, La Rochelle, Leinster, Leicester, Harlequins, Munster and Bristol - will have home advantage in the second leg matches.

Here is the last-16 first-leg line-up.

  • Stade Francais v Racing 92
  • Toulouse v Ulster
  • Bordeaux-Begles v La Rochelle
  • Connacht v Leinster
  • Sale v Bristol
  • Exeter v Munster
  • Montpellier v Harlequins
  • Clermont v Leicester
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226 comments

  • Comment posted by Stephem, at 23:27 23 Jan 2022

    All the cancellations really make a mockery of the seeding system. Ulster & Connacht are now up against the two strongest teams who were artificially ranked lower due to missing out on an extremely likely 5 pointer.

    • Reply posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 09:13 24 Jan 2022

      Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine replied:
      Although Connacht are arguably ranked higher than they should be due to Toulouse and Bordeaux having games cancelled.

      Similarly Ulster would probably be lower if La Rochelle had played Bath or Leinster had played montpellier.

      So it is swings and roundabouts.

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 01:10 24 Jan 2022

    The format and teams forfeiting games is a pain. Fortunately it doesn't seem to have as much of an affect on the competition as last year, and hopefully it'll have less next season. It's not great but it's better than nothing.

    That said I am glad Cardiff didn't make the final 16. Nothing against the team, but for a side to make it through based on a walkover win wouldn't sit right with me.

    • Reply posted by blues1959, at 06:57 24 Jan 2022

      blues1959 replied:
      I'm a Cardiff supporter and agree with you re the walk over, seems strange to me tho that when Cardiff had 30/40 players not available through being stuck in isolation and injury for the quins and Toulouse matches earlier in tournament they had to play them

  • Comment posted by CountFord, at 00:27 24 Jan 2022

    Teams going through to the next round after winning 1 out of 4 games. Not a fan of this format at all

    • Reply posted by KB, at 00:38 24 Jan 2022

      KB replied:
      Doubt anyone is unfortunately but it is what it is and the hands are dealt. Hopefully sorted out by next year maybe. Still exciting games to be played out tbh.

  • Comment posted by David L Evans, at 08:09 24 Jan 2022

    Before long I fear the appalling performances of the Welsh sides in this competition and the Dragons in the Challenge Cup will seep through to the national side. The winning of the triple crown and championship last year despite having no worthwhile club rugby seems all the more remarkable. Frightened for the Irish match though with lots of key injuries up front.

    • Reply posted by SD, at 08:35 24 Jan 2022

      SD replied:
      Wales though are almost always greater than sum of parts. Regions woeful but national side always perfroms above and beyond expectation. Look at last 6N although red cards played a massive part there.

  • Comment posted by Phainopepla, at 10:59 24 Jan 2022

    Shame Exeter couldn't win this weekend...Would rather have played Bristol than Munster

    • Reply posted by Toppo1, at 17:37 24 Jan 2022

      Toppo1 replied:
      You’ve got to play the big teams at some time if you want to win it!

  • Comment posted by biasedbbc, at 07:32 24 Jan 2022

    Two-legged ties mean that where you finished in the first round of games will not determine who wins the championship.
    It will also allow all teams supporters to see their side play. So everything to play for?

    • Reply posted by Display name, at 09:11 24 Jan 2022

      Display name replied:
      And this year with the cancelled fixture points finishing top might not have been the best option

  • Comment posted by Harleking, at 08:07 24 Jan 2022

    Some quality matches to look forward to in the Anglo-Irish-French Cup.

    It is confusing why compared to the success of the national side the Welsh clubs have barely made an imprint on this competition during it's history. Is it simply because the franchise system has not worked in Wales?

    • Reply posted by JimmyC, at 08:12 24 Jan 2022

      JimmyC replied:
      Possibly. The word “franchise” is key, looks as though welsh supporters haven’t bought into it. The difference in Ireland is that the provinces are a real thing, with provincial and inter-provincial championships in many sports, most notably Gaelic games. So people identify with the provinces rather than some random split and a “franchise” name.

  • Comment posted by NigelM, at 11:21 24 Jan 2022

    Honest ABE – surely the most important issue we have is the international conspiracy of officials which you made public on Friday’s HYS who are skewing games in favour of English clubs. Any more progress on this, we have Icke on board and he’s very keen ? We’re relying on you ABE..

    • Reply posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 11:36 24 Jan 2022

      This name is awaiting moderation replied:
      Progress is slow but progress is being made nevertheless. There appears to be a mantra being chanted in many changing rooms throughout the land. “We want fair play and we want it now!!”
      The champions cup needs to be won by the best team on the pitch….

  • Comment posted by RobboTheKitten, at 14:12 24 Jan 2022

    If you are a Castres supporter this will be grim reading. Deprived of a place by iffy refereeing decisions. Refs have a tough job but in the game against Quins the ref, an elite one as well, did not cover himself in glory.

    • Reply posted by D1680513236423, at 14:24 24 Jan 2022

      D1680513236423 replied:
      He’s never any good.
      He has spoiled many a game. Shocking that he is allowed to do international matches.

  • Comment posted by SCJ, at 07:05 24 Jan 2022

    Two-legged ties have no place whatsoever in rugby

    • Reply posted by Rugby born and bred, at 08:34 24 Jan 2022

      Rugby born and bred replied:
      Why not? Given the first round format was riddled with lost games, the usual top teams get a home draw argument would have been flawed.

  • Comment posted by Bomber, at 23:37 23 Jan 2022

    Toulouse v Ulster or Clermont v Leicester? Two great games with some of the best fans in rugby, with Clermont best fans in the world at any sport. Have passport, will travel. Just have to love European rugby.

    • Reply posted by KB, at 00:28 24 Jan 2022

      KB replied:
      Been to Clermont quite a few years back for rugby. Watched them play Harlequins. Really nice day and the stadium was buzzing. Definitely would like to go watch more European rugby in the future. Especially in France as well.

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 10:29 24 Jan 2022

    I thought wasps were unlucky and hope T Young is ok. A very brave player who gives his all for his club.

  • Comment posted by mrmjvc, at 11:40 24 Jan 2022

    In other news, great to see Ford come into the squad for the opening match. Hope he can make a point, because he's been more bad than good in an England shirt, so here's praying he can replicate his club form

    • Reply posted by SD, at 11:45 24 Jan 2022

      SD replied:
      Except if he does come in it's to replace Farrell who Jones has said will play 12. Ford NOT a centre so doesn't add up.
      Ford should have been in original squad anyway on form.

      Can only think maybe he's bench cover for Smith as 10? But Jones likes multi -position players and Ford isn't one.

  • Comment posted by D1710715782267, at 07:42 24 Jan 2022

    I saw Connacht play the All Blacks in my home town 48 years ago. It's a great achievement for them to make it this far. All 4 Irish provincial sides are still in it. Strangely, a lot of the spirit of the Irish provinces was built on the legacy of Gaelic football.

    • Reply posted by al777, at 07:56 24 Jan 2022

      al777 replied:
      They are punching well above their weight given their playing budget compared to the other provinces. Always enjoy watching them play.

  • Comment posted by billygoat, at 08:15 24 Jan 2022

    What a side Leinster are! Bath need to sort themselves out. Too many mercenaries there.

    • Reply posted by JimmyC, at 08:22 24 Jan 2022

      JimmyC replied:
      Bath started very well, but the initial intensity only lasted about 10 minutes. Needed to score during that time.

  • Comment posted by SD, at 08:15 24 Jan 2022

    Very hard to see beyond Leinster for the title, they have been frankly awesome.

    Mind you something like 9(?) of the Int Irish side in there. This of course will only help Ireland in 6N as majority of players used to playing with each other week in week out.

    Hopefully English clubs get through to next round.

    • Reply posted by JimmyC, at 08:19 24 Jan 2022

      JimmyC replied:
      Leinster have looked very strong in other years too, before coming up short against larger packs (Saracens and La Rochelle). They have not strengthened in that area, front and back rows look good but still vulnerable in the 2nd row.

  • Comment posted by NotSoLittleMouse, at 13:01 24 Jan 2022

    At least one English team will make it to the next round.

  • Comment posted by The Academy, at 11:19 24 Jan 2022

    Some really good games this week, and some of those line ups should be crackers. Really interested in how the 2 leg format goes. It seems a much fairer way to decide this and something I'd love to see considered in the future.

    • Reply posted by JimmyC, at 11:31 24 Jan 2022

      JimmyC replied:
      The 2 leg format could be very interesting, as a lot can change between the 2 games. I was at northampton for a Leinster game one year, Leinster hammered them, had the bonus point by half time, and the following week northampton beat them in Dublin. Huge turnarounds are possible.

  • Comment posted by Freddie1973, at 16:46 24 Jan 2022

    Great signs for Ireland, England and France.

    Disaster for Wales and Scotland who look set to battle Italy for the wooden spoon.

    Wales are in a complete mess.... rugby is in free fall in wales from grass roots to pro game.

    • Reply posted by JimmyC, at 16:49 24 Jan 2022

      JimmyC replied:
      Really? I thought Wales won last year

  • Comment posted by AJM, at 08:45 24 Jan 2022

    It would be great if it was like the Champions League where you can’t play a team from your country in the first tie of the last 16 equivalent.

    Stuart Lancaster back to England …… he is doing fantastic at Leinster, they have a brilliant set up but it’s still brilliant to see.

    • Reply posted by Display name, at 09:05 24 Jan 2022

      Display name replied:
      They did that in the groups. And with just two groups how would you reward the 1st place team?

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