The 2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Heineken Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the eighth season of the European Rugby Champions Cup, the annual club rugby union competition run by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) for teams from the top six nations in European rugby. It was the 27th season of pan-European professional club rugby competition.
2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup | |
---|---|
Tournament details | |
Countries | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and knockout |
Date | 10 December 2021 – 28 May 2022 |
Tournament statistics | |
Teams | 24 |
Matches played | 60 |
Attendance | 843,371 (14,056 per match) |
Highest attendance | 42,067 - Leinster v Toulouse 14 May 2022[1] |
Lowest attendance | 4,000 - Sale Sharks v Ospreys 23 January 2022[a] |
Tries scored | 396 (6.6 per match) |
Top point scorer(s) | ![]() 65 points |
Top try scorer(s) | ![]() 10 tries |
Final | |
Venue | Stade Vélodrome, Marseille |
Champions | ![]() |
Runners-up | ![]() |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 24-team, two pool tournament format adopted for the previous season remained.[2]
This is the final year, under the current sponsorship deal, with Dutch beer brand Heineken, after a four-year deal was agreed starting from the 2018/19 season.[3]
The tournament commenced in December 2021. On 28 May 2022, Stade Rochelais won the final at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, France, defeating Leinster 24 points to 21.[4][5][6]
Teams
editTwenty-four clubs from the three major European domestic and regional leagues are competing in the Champions Cup.
The distribution of the teams are:
- England: eight clubs
- The top eight clubs from Premiership Rugby
- France: eight clubs
- The top seven clubs from the Top 14
- Montpellier automatically qualify as Challenge Cup champions despite not finishing in the top 8.
- Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales: eight clubs
- The top four sides in each conference from the previous season's Pro14 (now known as United Rugby Championship).
The following teams have qualified for the tournament as of 12 June 2021.
Premiership | Top 14 | United Rugby Championship (Pro14) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
England | France | Ireland | Scotland | Wales | |
Team details
editBelow is the list of coaches, captain and stadiums with their method of qualification for each team.
Note: Placing shown in brackets, denotes standing at the end of the regular season for their respective leagues, with their end of season positioning shown through CH for Champions, RU for Runner-up, SF for losing Semi-finalist, and QF for losing Quarter-finalist.
Seeding and draw
editThe twenty four teams are seeded based on their finishing position in end of season playoffs and league positions. This follows the format from the previous season with the number 1 and number 2 ranked clubs from each league in Tier 1, the number 3 and number 4 ranked clubs in Tier 2, the number 5 and 6 ranked clubs in Tier 3, and the number 7 and number 8 ranked clubs in Tier 4.[7]
Tier | Rank | Top 14 | Premiership | United Rugby Championship (Pro14) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Toulouse | Harlequins | Leinster |
2 | La Rochelle | Exeter Chiefs | Munster | |
2 | 3 | Racing 92 | Bristol Bears | Ulster |
4 | Bordeaux Bègles | Sale Sharks | Connacht | |
3 | 5 | Clermont | Northampton Saints | Scarlets |
6 | Stade Français | Leicester Tigers | Ospreys | |
4 | 7 | Castres | Bath | Cardiff |
8 | Montpellier | Wasps | Glasgow Warriors |
The draw took place on 21 July 2021 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Pool Stage
editTeams are awarded four points for a win, two for a draw, one for scoring four tries in a game, and one for losing by less than eight points.
Top 8 in each pool, advance to round of 16. | |
Teams ranked 9th–11th in each pool advance to 2021–22 EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 |
Pool A
editPool A Standings [8] | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | |
Racing 92 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 24 | +102 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
Ulster | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 96 | +18 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
La Rochelle | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 97 | 64 | +33 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 16 |
Leinster | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 198 | 62 | +136 | 30 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
Sale Sharks | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 89 | 48 | +41 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
Exeter Chiefs | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 127 | 82 | +45 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
Montpellier | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 78 | 157 | –79 | 9 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
Clermont | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 79 | 82 | –3 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
Glasgow Warriors | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 82 | 117 | –35 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Northampton Saints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 56 | 124 | –68 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Bath | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 48 | 148 | –100 | 6 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Ospreys | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 33 | 123 | –90 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pool B
editPool B Standings [9] | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | |
Leicester Tigers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 102 | 64 | +38 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
Harlequins | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 101 | +34 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
Munster | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 47 | +68 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
Bristol Bears | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 108 | 38 | +70 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
Connacht | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 118 | 104 | +14 | 16 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
Bordeaux | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 58 | 54 | +4 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
Toulouse | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 61 | 65 | –4 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
Stade Français | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 63 | 95 | –32 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
Cardiff | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 85 | 118 | –33 | 13 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
Wasps | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 51 | 102 | –51 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Castres | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 77 | 91 | –14 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Scarlets | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 31 | 125 | –94 | 4 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Knockout stage
editThe knockout stage began across the 8/9/10 April with a home and away round of 16 matches consisting of the top eight ranked teams from each pool.
Bracket
editRound of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||||||||
A1 | Racing 92 | 22 | 33 | 55 | |||||||||||||||||
B8 | Stade Français | 9 | 22 | 31 | |||||||||||||||||
A1 | Racing 92 | 41 | |||||||||||||||||||
A5 | Sale Sharks | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||
B4 | Bristol Bears | 10 | 29 | 39 | |||||||||||||||||
A5 | Sale Sharks | 9 | 35 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||
A1 | Racing 92 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
A3 | La Rochelle | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||
A3 | La Rochelle | 31 | 31 | 62 | |||||||||||||||||
B6 | Bordeaux | 13 | 23 | 36 | |||||||||||||||||
A3 | La Rochelle | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
A7 | Montpellier | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||
B2 | Harlequins | 26 | 33 | 59 | |||||||||||||||||
A7 | Montpellier | 40 | 20 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
La Rochelle | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Leinster | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B1 | Leicester Tigers | 29 | 27 | 56 | |||||||||||||||||
A8 | Clermont | 10 | 17 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||
B1 | Leicester Tigers | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||
A4 | Leinster | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
A4 | Leinster | 26 | 56 | 82 | |||||||||||||||||
B5 | Connacht | 21 | 20 | 41 | |||||||||||||||||
A4 | Leinster | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||
B7 | Toulouse | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||
B3 | Munster | 8 | 26 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||
A6 | Exeter Chiefs | 13 | 10 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||
B3 | Munster | 24 (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
B7 | Toulouse (p) | 24 (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
A2 | Ulster | 26 | 23 | 49 | |||||||||||||||||
B7 | Toulouse | 20 | 30 | 50 |
Round of 16
editFirst leg
edit8 April 2022 20:00 IST |
Connacht | 21–26 | Leinster |
Try: Porch 2' m Fifita 60' c Con: Carty (1/2) 61' Pen: Carty (3/3) 33', 40'+4, 45' | Report | Try: Lowe (2) 22' c, 26' m Keenan 52' m Con: Sexton (1/3) 23' Pen: Sexton (2/2) 18', 37' Byrne (1/1) 76' |
Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 8,126[10] Referee: Karl Dickson (England) |
9 April 2022 13:00 BST |
Sale Sharks | 9–10 | Bristol Bears |
Pen: du Preez (3/4) 4', 9', 77' | Report | Try: Radradra 71' c Con: Sheedy (1/1) 72' Pen: Sheedy (1/1) 25' |
AJ Bell Stadium Attendance: 4,672 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) |
9 April 2022 14:00 CET |
Bordeaux | 13–31 | La Rochelle |
Try: Woki 50' m Mori 67' m Pen: Lucu (1/1) 9' | Report | Try: Rhule 21' c Danty 53' m Penalty try 63' Con: West (1/2) 22' Pen: West (4/4) 9', 38' 48', 71' |
Stade Chaban-Delmas Attendance: 30,000 Referee: Matthew Carley (England) |
9 April 2022 16:15 CET |
Toulouse | 20–26 | Ulster |
Try: Meafou 6' c Ntamack 79' c Con: Ramos (2/2) 7', 79' Pen: Ramos (1/2) 40' | Report | Try: Baloucoune (3) 12' c, 44' m, 66' c Warwick 58' c Con: Cooney (3/4) 13', 59', 66' |
Le Stadium Attendance: 28,000 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
9 April 2022 17:30 BST |
Exeter Chiefs | 13–8 | Munster |
Try: Hogg 5' m Vermeulen 37' m Drop: Hogg (1/1) 65' | Report | Try: S. Daly 66' m Pen: Healy (1/1) 56' |
Sandy Park Attendance: 10,307 Referee: Pierre Brousset (France) |
9 April 2022 18:30 CET |
Stade Français | 9–22 | Racing 92 |
Pen: Segonds (2/2) 37', 40+2' Sánchez (1/2) 70' | Report | Try: Fickou 60' c Con: Le Garrec (1/1) 60' Pen: Le Garrec (5/6) 14', 20', 23', 30', 76' |
Stade Jean-Bouin Attendance: 12,500 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
10 April 2022 14:00 CET |
Montpellier | 40–26 | Harlequins |
Try: N'Gandebe 21' c Mercer (2) 31' c, 38' c Reinach 34' m Lamositele 41' m Con: Garbisi (3/5) 22', 32', 39' Pen: Garbisi (1/2) 47' Pollard (2/2) 74', 80' | Report | Try: Hammond 40' m Esterhuizen 61' c Marchant 65' c Lynagh 78' c Con: Smith (3/4) 62', 66', 79' |
Altrad Stadium Attendance: 7,500 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) |
10 April 2022 16:15 CET |
Clermont | 10–29 | Leicester Tigers |
Try: Tiberghien 12' c Con: Parra (1/1) 14' Pen: Parra (1/1) 27' | Report | Try: Genge 18' m Montoya 32' m Van Poortvliet 45' m Saumaki 52' c Potter 64' c Con: Ford (2/5) 53', 65' |
Stade Marcel-Michelin Attendance: 15,328 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) |
Second leg
edit15 April 2022 17:30 IST |
Leinster | 56–20 | Connacht |
Try: Gibson-Park 10' c Henshaw (2) 17' c, 41' c Furlong 27' c Lowe (4) 35' c, 54' c, 64' c, 80' c Con: Sexton (6/6) 11', 17', 28', 35', 42', 56' R. Byrne (2/2) 66', 80' | Report | Try: O'Halloran 45' m Arnold 61' m Papali'i 69' c Con: Carty (1/3) 70' Pen: Carty (1/2) 1' |
Aviva Stadium Attendance: 32,604[11] Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
15 April 2022 20:00 BST |
Bristol Bears | 29–35 | Sale Sharks |
Try: Thacker 48' c Morahan (2) 53' c, 77' m Joyce 62' c Con: Sheedy (3/4) 49', 53', 63' Pen: Sheedy (1/2) 20' | Report | Try: de Jager 31' c Van der Merwe 40' c Roebuck 41' c Ross 74' m Con: R. du Preez (3/4) 31', 40+1', 41' Pen: R. du Preez (3/3) 23', 65', 72' |
Ashton Gate Attendance: 13,840 Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland) |
16 April 2022 12:30 BST |
Harlequins | 33–20 | Montpellier |
Try: Jones 1' c Dombrandt 14' c Marchant 29' c Lynagh (2) 38' c, 75' m Con: Smith (4/5) 2', 16', 30', 39' | Report | Try: Reilhac 11' c Tisseron 33' c Con: Foursans-Bourdette (2/2) 12', 34' Pen: Foursans-Bourdette (1/1) 27' Pollard (1/2) 55' |
Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 14,800 Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland) |
16 April 2022 15:00 IST |
Munster | 26–10 | Exeter Chiefs |
Try: Carbery 25' c de Allende 72' c Con: Carbery (2/2) 26', 72' Pen: Carbery (4/4) 5', 16', 59', 64' | Report | Try: S. Maunder 10' m Vermeulen 48' m |
Thomond Park Attendance: 21,125 [12] Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) |
16 April 2022 16:00 CET |
La Rochelle | 31–23 | Bordeaux |
Try: West 41' c Alldritt 47' c Kerr-Barlow 54' c Botia 68' c Con: West (4/4) 42', 48', 55', 68' Pen: West (1/2) 20' | Report | Try: Massé 52' c Mori 76' c Con: Lucu (1/1) 52' Garcia (1/1) 77' Pen: Lucu (2/3) 15', 37' Garcia (1/1) 64' |
Stade Marcel-Deflandre Attendance: 16,000 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
16 April 2022 17:30 BST |
Leicester Tigers | 27–17 | Clermont |
Try: Liebenberg 8' c Scott 49' m Penalty try 61' Steward 65' m Con: Ford (1/2) 9' Pen: Ford (1/1) 45' | Report | Try: Raka 57' c Lee 68' c Con: Parra (2/2) 58', 69' Pen: Lopez (1/1) 16' |
Mattioli Woods Welford Road Attendance: 22,722 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) |
16 April 2022 20:00 IST |
Ulster | 23–30 | Toulouse |
Try: McIlroy (2) 10' c, 37' c Con: Cooney (2/2) 11', 39' Pen: Cooney (3/3) 18', 52', 68' | Report | Try: Ramos 21' c Ntamack 26' c Dupont 74' c Con: Ramos (3/3) 22', 27', 75' Pen: Ramos (3/3) 1', 13', 63' |
Ravenhill Stadium Attendance: 18,196 Referee: Matthew Carley (England) |
17 April 2022 16:30 CET |
Racing 92 | 33–22 | Stade Français |
Try: Penalty try 34' Thomas (2) 43' c, 78' m Lauret 72' m Con: Le Garrec (1/3) 44' Pen: Le Garrec (3/3) 19', 30', 55' | Report | Try: Veainu 5' c Lapegue (2) 21' m, 37' c Con: Sánchez (2/3) 5', 38' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 13' |
Paris La Défense Arena Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) |
Quarter-finals
edit7 May 2022 15:00 IST |
Munster | 24–24 (a.e.t.) | Toulouse |
Try: Kendellen 9' c Earls 38' c Haley 43' c Con: Carbery (3/3) 9', 39', 44' Pen: Carbery (1/3) 56' | Report | Try: Ntamack 11' c Lebel (2) 25' c, 66' c Con: Ramos (3/3) 12', 26', 66' Pen: Ramos (1/1) 75' |
Penalties | ||
---|---|---|
Murray Healy Carbery Murray Healy | 2–4 | Dupont Ramos Ntamack Dupont |
Aviva Stadium Attendance: 40,479[13] Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
7 May 2022 18:30 CEST |
La Rochelle | 31–19 | Montpellier |
Try: Priso 12' c Vito 22' c Botia 47' m Con: West (2/3) 13', 23' Pen: West (4/4) 17', 64', 69', 78' | Report | Try: Thomas 28' c Reilhac 41' c Mercer 53' m Con: Foursans-Bourdette (2/3) 30', 42' |
Stade Marcel-Deflandre Attendance: 16,000 Referee: Karl Dickson (England) |
7 May 2022 17:30 BST |
Leicester Tigers | 14–23 | Leinster |
Try: Ashton 45' c Dolly 78' c Con: Ford (2/2) 46', 78' | Report | Try: Van der Flier 14' c Henshaw 19' c Con: Sexton (2/2) 16', 20' Pen: Sexton (2/2) 3', 36' Byrne (1/1) 65' |
Mattioli Woods Welford Road Attendance: 19,066 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) |
8 May 2022 16:00 CEST |
Racing 92 | 41–22 | Sale Sharks |
Try: Thomas 41' c Russell 49' c Imhoff 68' m Spring 79' c Con: Le Garrec (2/3) 42', 50' Machenaud (1/1) 80' Pen: Le Garrec (5/6) 11', 14', 47', 62', 67' | Report | Try: Tuilagi 40' c Van der Merwe 54' c B. Curry 73' m Con: R. du Preez (2/3) 40+1', 55' Pen: R. du Preez (1/2) 22' |
Paris La Défense Arena Attendance: 9,356 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) |
Semi-finals
edit14 May 2022 15:00 IST |
Leinster | 40–17 | Toulouse |
Try: Lowe (2) 14' c, 49' c Van der Flier 19' c Keenan 78' c Con: Sexton (3/3) 16', 20', 51' Byrne (1/1) 79' Pen: Sexton (3/3) 4', 12', 33' Byrne (1/1) 73' | Report | Try: Dupont 6' c Tolofua 65' c Con: Ramos (2/2) 7', 65' Pen: Ramos (1/1) 24' |
Aviva Stadium Attendance: 42,067[1] Referee: Karl Dickson (England) |
15 May 2022 16:00 CEST |
Racing 92 | 13–20 | La Rochelle |
Try: Vakatawa 25' c Con: Le Garrec (1/1) 27' Pen: Le Garrec (2/3) 2', 50' | Report | Try: Alldritt 40+2' m Penalty try 52' West 80' m Pen: West (1/3) 32' |
Stade Bollaert-Delelis Attendance: 15,522 [14] Referee: Matthew Carley (England) |
Final
edit28 May 2022 17:45 |
La Rochelle | 24–21 | Leinster |
Try: Rhule 9' c Bourgarit 60' c Retière 79' c Con: West (3/3) 11', 61', 80' Pen: West (1/1) 41' | Report | Pen: Sexton (6/6) 4', 8', 22', 40+2', 47', 53' R. Byrne (1/1) 64' |
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 59,682 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ When crowds were in attendance
References
edit- ^ a b "Sublime Leinster dethrone Toulouse to march into Champions Cup final". the42. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Twickenham Stadium to host 2021 EPCR finals". European Professional Club Rugby. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
- ^ "EPCR confirms Heineken Champions Cup title sponsorship – SportsPro Media". www.sportspromedia.com. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
- ^ "EPCR statement – 2021 Marseille finals and semi-final matches". European Professional Club Rugby. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
- ^ "Key 2021/22 EPCR dates announced". European Professional Club Rugby. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
- ^ "Ronan O'Gara leads La Rochelle to first Champions Cup title with stunning last-gasp victory over Leinster". The 42. 22 May 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ "2021–22 Heineken Cup format and qualifiers confirmed". Scarlets Rugby. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
- ^ "Pool Tables". Heineken Champions Cup. EPCR. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Pool Tables". Heineken Champions Cup. EPCR. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ "Connacht 21-26 Leinster: Hosts cause Leo Cullen's side all sorts of problems as Lowe steals the show". irish mirror. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Glennon, Michael (15 April 2022). "Lowe lays waste to Connacht as Leinster let loose". RTE. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ "Munster Rugby Fixtures & Results". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ "Munster Lose Place-Kicking Competition As Toulouse Advance". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ "Coupe d'Europe: La Rochelle, en dominant le Racing 92, s'offre une deuxième finale de suite". La Croix. 15 May 2022.