Leinster Rugby In The Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025: Everything To Know
Leinster Rugby In The Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025: Everything To Know
Leinster Rugby kickoff times, pool placement and how to watch them in the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup.
The 30th Investec Champions Cup competition is considered by many to be the best professional rugby tournament in the world and just a level below international test rugby.
The competition features 24 clubs divided into four pools of six clubs. There are four rounds of pool play, and the top 16 clubs advance to the knockout stage with the goal of making it to Cardiff, Wales – which hosted the first Champions Cup Final– and Principality Stadium on May 24.
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One of the teams looking to advance to the EPCR Final is Leinster Rugby, which is in Pool 2.
Here are a few things to know about Leinster Rugby:
Leinster Rugby Results In The United Ruby Championship in 2024-2025 Season
Life is pretty good for the club in Dublin.
Leinster is 6-0-0 in the URC and had a streak of five straight bonus point wins snapped to end the first third of the season. This comes as many of the Irish teams are battling injuries and International restrictions to the roster, but Leinster, after a close match in Round 1 against Edinburgh, has been on a warpath.
At the top of the table with a big lead of six points on the Glasgow Warriors, Leinster is building the case to be the favorite to win the Champions Cup in 2025.
And the team likely will get better when All Blacks star Jordie Barrett joins the club, probably in time for Champions Cup play.
What Did Leinster Rugby Do In The Champions Cup In 2023-2024?
For the third year in row, Leinster Rugby reached the Champions Cup Final after a dominant run in pool play and the knockout stages.
But then, the team lost in the Champions Cup Final to a Top 14 club.
This past year, it was Toulouse, in arguably the most anticipated final in years.
The previous two years, it was La Rochelle staging big comebacks to stun Leinster, including in 2023, when the match was at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Has Leinster Rugby Ever Won The Champions Cup?
Leinster has the second-most Champions Cup wins, trailing just Toulouse. When the two clubs met in the 2024 Final, Leinster was trying to tie Toulouse with five, but instead, Toulouse won. Now, Leinster trails by two in the all-time race.
Toulouse and Leinster also have been to the most Finals, eight each. But Leinster is 4-4, while Toulouse is 6-2.
Leinster has not won a Champions Cup title since 2018.
Where Does Leinster Rugby Play?
Leinster Rugby is based in Dublin and will play all their Champions Cup Pool 2 matches at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. However, Leinster also plays in Croke Park, which recently just hosted the Irish Derby match of Leinster vs. Munster that saw 80,000 fans in attendance.
Who Is The Leinster Rugby Coach?
Leo Cullen, who played in 140 matches from 2007-2014 for the club, is head coach of Leinster. It's a job he's had since 2015. He recently signed an extension with Leinster.
Cullen's senior coach is Jacques Nienaber, who is the former head coach of the South Africa Springboks and coached the team to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. A defensive specialist, he has also coached under current South Africa Rugby coach Rassie Erasmus with the Springboks, the DHL Stormers and Munster Rugby.
Who Is The Leinster Rugby Captain?
Caelan Doris is the Leinster Rugby captain this season. One of the best players in the world, Doris is also a captain for the Irish National team. The 26-year-old star is one of the best back-row players in the world.
Where Does Leinster Rugby Rank In The FloRugby Team Rankings?
Leinster Rugby was the No. 2-ranked team in the world in the FloRugby rankings.
Who Are The Highest-Ranked FloRugby Players On The Leinster Rugby Roster?
- Caelan Doris – Leinster & Ireland (No. 2)
- Jamison Gibson-Park – Leinster & Ireland (No. 6)
- Dan Sheehan – Leinster & Ireland (No.9 )
- RG Snyman – Leinster & South Africa (No. 12)
- Jordie Barrett – Leinster & New Zealand (No. 21)
- Andrew Porter Leinster & Ireland ( No. 25)
- Josh van der Flier – Leinster & Ireland (No. 30)
- Garry Ringrose – Leinster & Ireland (No. 31)
- Tadhg Furlong – Leinster & Ireland (No. 33)
- James Lowe – Leinster & Ireland (No. 36)
- James Ryan – Leinster & Ireland (No. 44)
- Ronan Kelleher – Leinster & Ireland (No. 55)
- Jack Conan – Leinster & Ireland (No. 57)
- Robbie Henshaw – Leinster & Ireland (No. 75)
- Joe McCarthy – Leinster & Ireland (No. 82)
- Jamie Osborne – Leinster & Ireland (No. 89)
- Ciaran Frawley – Leinster & Ireland (No. 99)
Where Does Leinster Rugby Play?
Leinster Rugby is based in Dublin and will play all its Champions Cup Pool 2 matches at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. However, Leinster also plays in Croke Park, which recently just hosted the Irish Derby match of Leinster vs. Munster that saw 80,000 fans in attendance.
When Does Leinster Rugby Play In The Investec Championship Cup?
Here is the Leinster Rugby Champions Cup schedule:
Bristol Vs. Leinster Kickoff In Round 1
- Round 1: Bristol Bears vs. Leinster Rugby, 12:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 8, 2024, Ashton Gate
Leinster Vs. Clermont Kickoff In Round 2
- Round 2: Leinster Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, 12:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 14, 2024, Aviva Stadium
La Rochelle Vs. Leinster Kickoff In Round 3
- Round 3: Stade Rochelais vs. Leinster Rugby, 10:15 a.m. ET, Jan. 12, 2025, Stade Marcel Deflandre
Leinster Vs. Bath Kickoff In Round 4
- Round 4: Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jan.12, 2025, Aviva Stadium
How To Watch Leinster Rugby Play In The Investec Champions Cup?
Every Leinster Rugby match in the Investec Champions Cup is streaming live in the United States and Canada on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
Investec Champions Cup Format
Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:
- A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
- 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
- Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
- Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
- The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.
Investec Champions Cup Weekends
- Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
- Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
- Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
- Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
- Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
- Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
- Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
- 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Champions Cup Qualifications
Twenty-four clubs have qualified for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup as follows:
- United Rugby Championship (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
- TOP 14 (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
- Gallagher Premiership Rugby (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
- If not already qualified, the winner of the 2024 Investec Champions Cup will take the place of the eighth-ranked club in its league.
Investec Champions Cup Qualifiers
- TOP 14 – Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
- GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
- UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Ulster Rugby, Benetton Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks
EPCR Challenge Cup Format
Key points for the 2024-2025 EPCR Challenge Cup:
- A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
- 18 clubs in three pools of six
- Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
- Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the knockout stage
- Eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday, May 23
EPCR Challenge Cup Weekends
- Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
- Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
- Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
- Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
- Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
- Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
- Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
- 2025 EPCR Challenge Cup final – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Friday, May 23
EPCR Challenge Cup Qualifiers
Clubs from the United Rugby Championship, the TOP 14 and the Gallagher Premiership that have not qualified for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup will compete in the 2024-2025 EPCR Challenge Cup.
If not already qualified, the winner of the 2024 EPCR Challenge Cup will secure a place in the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup, replacing the eighth-ranked club in its league.
EPCR Challenge Cup Qualifiers
- UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Ospreys, Emirates Lions, Edinburgh Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Scarlets, Dragons RFC, Zebre Parma
- TOP 14 – Section Paloise, USAP, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Aviron Bayonnais, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, RC Vannes
- GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Gloucester Rugby, Newcastle Falcons
- INVITED – Black Lion, Toyota Cheetahs
When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?
The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends on Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4.
The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup).
What Are The Investec Champions Cup And EPCR Challenge Cup Pools?
Here are the pools:
Investec Champions Cup:
- Toulouse (Stade Toulousain)
- Bordeaux-Bègles (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
- Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Exeter Chiefs
- Leicester Tigers
- Ulster Rugby
Pool 2:
- Leinster Rugby
- Clermont Auvergne (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
- La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais)
- Bristol Bears
- Benetton Rugby
- Bath Rugby
Pool 3:
- Northampton Saints
- Munster Rugby
- Vodacom Bulls
- Stade Français Paris
- Saracens
- Castres Olympique
Pool 4:
- Glasgow Warriors
- Racing 92
- Sale Sharks
- DHL Stormers
- Toulon (RC Toulon)
- Harlequins
EPCR Challenge Cup
Pool 1:
- Cardiff Rugby
- Connacht Rugby
- Toyota Cheetahs
- Perpignan (USAP)
- Lyon Olympique Universitaire (Lyon O.U.)
- Zebre Parma
Pool 2:
- Montpellier Hérault Rugby
- Pau (Section Paloise)
- Newcastle Falcons
- Dragons RFC
- Emirates Lions
- Ospreys
Pool 3:
- RC Vannes
- Black Lion
- Bayonne (Aviron Bayonnais)
- Scarlets
- Edinburgh Rugby
- Gloucester Rugby
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.