4,800 – Castres v Exeter Chiefs10 December 2022 [a]
Tries scored
396 (6.29 per match)
Top point scorer(s)
Antoine Hastoy (La Rochelle)97 points
Top try scorer(s)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster)6 tries
Final
Venue
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Attendance
51,711
Champions
La Rochelle (2nd title)
Runners-up
Leinster
← 2021–22 (Previous)(Next) 2023–24 →
The 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup was the ninth 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 five nations in European rugby and South Africa. It was the 28th season of pan-European professional club rugby competition.
Dutch beer brand Heineken continued as the title sponsor of the competition, extending their deal after their previous agreement expired at the end of the 2021–22 season.[1]
This was the first year to feature the top teams from South Africa, following the inaugural United Rugby Championship season.
The tournament commenced in December 2022. The final was held at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on 20 May 2023.[2] The match was a repeat of the 2022 final, with Stade Rochelais defeating Leinster for the second consecutive year.[3]
Teams
[edit]
Twenty-four clubs from the three major European domestic and regional leagues competed in the Champions Cup.
The distribution of teams was:
England: eight clubs
The top eight clubs from Premiership Rugby
France: eight clubs
The top eight clubs from the Top 14
Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, Wales: eight clubs
The top side in each of the four regional shields from the United Rugby Championship (one Irish, one Welsh, one South African and one either Scottish or Italian), along with the remaining top four ranked clubs regardless of nation, within the league, that didn't win their respective shield.[4] If the club that wins the championship has not qualified by the methods above then that club, the four shield winners and the remaining top three ranked clubs regardless of nation, within the league, that didn't win their respective shield will qualify.[5]
The following teams qualified for the tournament.
Premiership
Top 14
United Rugby Championship
England
France
Ireland
South Africa
Scotland
Wales
Exeter
Gloucester
Harlequins
Leicester
London Irish
Northampton
Sale
Saracens
Bordeaux-Bègles
Castres
Clermont
La Rochelle
Lyon
Montpellier
Racing 92
Toulouse
Leinster
Munster
Ulster
Bulls
Sharks
Stormers
Edinburgh
Ospreys
Team details
[edit]
Below 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.
Team
Coach /Director of Rugby
Captain
Stadium
Capacity
Method of qualification
Bordeaux Bègles
Frédéric Charrier Julien Laïrle[b]
Mahamadou Diaby
Stade Chaban-Delmas
34,694
Top 14 top 8 (3rd) (SF)
Bulls
Jake White
Marcell Coetzee
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
51,762
URC table rankings (4th) (RU)
Castres
Pierre-Henry Broncan
Mathieu Babillot
Stade Pierre-Fabre
12,500
Top 14 top 8 (1st) (RU)
Clermont
Christophe Urios[c]
Arthur Iturria
Stade Marcel-Michelin
19,022
Top 14 top 8 (7th)
Edinburgh
Steve Diamond[d]
Grant Gilchrist Jamie Ritchie
Edinburgh Rugby Stadium
7,800
URC Scottish/Italian Shield winner (7th) (QF)
Exeter Chiefs
Rob Baxter
Jack Yeandle
Sandy Park
13,593
Premiership top 8 (7th)
Gloucester
George Skivington
Lewis Ludlow
Kingsholm Stadium
16,115
Premiership top 8 (5th)
Harlequins
Tabai Matson
Stephan Lewies
Twickenham Stoop
14,800
Premiership top 8 (3rd) (SF)
La Rochelle
Ronan O'Gara
Grégory Alldritt
Stade Marcel-Deflandre
16,000
Top 14 top 8 (5th) (QF)
Leicester Tigers
Richard Wigglesworth[e]
Hanro Liebenberg
Mattioli Woods Welford Road
25,849
Premiership top 8 (1st) (CH)
Leinster
Leo Cullen
Johnny Sexton
RDS ArenaAviva Stadium
18,50051,700
URC Irish Shield winner (1st) (SF)
London Irish
Declan Kidney
Matt Rogerson
Gtech Community Stadium
17,250
Premiership top 8 (8th)
Lyon
Xavier Garbajosa
Jean-Marc Doussain
Matmut Stadium de Gerland
35,029
2021–22 Challenge Cup Champion
Montpellier
Philippe Saint-André
Yacouba Camara
GGL Stadium
15,697
Top 14 top 8 (2nd) (CH)
Munster
Graham Rowntree
Peter O'Mahony
Thomond Park
25,600
URC table rankings (6th) (QF)
Northampton Saints
Phil Dowson
Lewis Ludlam
cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens
15,200
Premiership top 8 (4th) (SF)
Ospreys
Toby Booth
Justin Tipuric
Swansea.com Stadium
21,088
URC Welsh Shield winner (9th)
Racing 92
Laurent Travers
Henry Chavancy
Paris La Défense Arena
32,000
Top 14 top 8 (6th) (QF)
Sale Sharks
Alex Sanderson
Jono Ross
AJ Bell Stadium
12,000
Premiership top 8 (6th)
Saracens
Mark McCall
Owen Farrell
StoneX Stadium
10,500
Premiership top 8 (2nd) (RU)
Sharks
Sean Everitt
Thomas du Toit
Kings Park Stadium
52,000
URC table rankings (5th) (QF)
Stormers
John Dobson
Ernst van Rhyn
Cape Town Stadium
55,000
URC South African Shield winner (2nd) (CH)
Toulouse
Ugo Mola
Julien Marchand
Stade Ernest-Wallon
19,500
Top 14 top 8 (4th) (SF)
Ulster
Dan McFarland
Iain Henderson
Ravenhill Stadium[f]
18,196
URC table rankings (3rd) (SF)
Seedings and structure
[edit]
For the purposes of the pool draw, the 24 clubs were separated into tiers based on their league finishing position, and clubs from the same league in the same tier were not drawn into the same pool. The number 1 and number 2 ranked clubs from each league are in Tier 1, the number 3 and number 4 ranked clubs are in Tier 2, the number 5 and 6 ranked clubs are in Tier 3, and the number 7 and number 8 ranked clubs are in Tier 4.
In effect, each pool contains one team from each of the three leagues, from each of the four tiers.
Pool play will feature the Tier 1 teams playing the Tier 4 teams in their pool twice, home and away, while the Tier 2 and 3 clubs will follow in a similar manner. However a team will not play the relevant team from its own league i.e. the tier 1 French team will play the tier 4 English and tier 4 URC team in its pool, but will not play the tier 4 French team in its pool. Each team will therefore play four pool games over four match weekends.
As with the previous two seasons, the 24 teams will play four rounds of pool matches. These will take place from 9–18 December 2022 and 13–22 January 2023.[needs update] Sixteen teams will qualify for the knockout rounds. In a change from the 2021–22 format, the round of 16 contests will take the form of a single match rather than a two-legged tie.[12]
The eight teams from each pool with the best points will qualify for the knockout stage, a single-leg single-elimination bracket of 16 teams. Teams finishing 9th and 10th after pool play will join the Challenge Cup, also at the round of 16 stage (joining twelve qualifiers from the Challenge Cup pool stage), once more in a single-leg single-elimination bracket. Last season's home-and-away two-legged round of 16 has not been continued.
Tier
Rank
Top 14
Premiership
United Rugby Championship
1
1
Montpellier
Leicester Tigers
Stormers
2
Castres
Saracens
Bulls
2
3
Bordeaux Bègles
Harlequins
Leinster
4
Toulouse
Northampton Saints
Ulster
3
5
La Rochelle
Gloucester
Sharks
6
Racing 92
Sale Sharks
Munster
4
7
Clermont
Exeter Chiefs
Edinburgh
8
Lyon
London Irish
Ospreys
Pool stage
[edit] [[File:ExeterLeicesterNorthamptonSaleGloucesterLondon (see map below)ClermontCastresMontpellierRacing 92La RochelleToulouseBordeauxLyonLeinsterMunsterUlsterEdinburghOspreysclass=notpageimage| Locations|1300px|alt=Locations of European teams of the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup group stage. Red: Pool A; Blue: Pool B.]] [[:File:ExeterLeicesterNorthamptonSaleGloucesterLondon (see map below)ClermontCastresMontpellierRacing 92La RochelleToulouseBordeauxLyonLeinsterMunsterUlsterEdinburghOspreysclass=notpageimage| Locations| ]]Locations of European teams of the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup group stage. Red: Pool A; Blue: Pool B. HarlequinsSaracensLondon Irishclass=notpageimage| Locations of London teams of the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup group stage. Red: Pool A; Blue: Pool B.Main article: 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup pool stage BullsSharksStormersclass=notpageimage| Locations of South African teams of the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup group stage. Red: Pool A; Blue: Pool B.
Teams were awarded four points for a win, two for a draw, one bonus point for scoring four tries in a game, and one bonus point for losing by less than eight points.
Key to colours
Teams ranked in the top 8 of each pool advance to 2022–23 EPCR Champions Cup round of 16.
Teams ranked 9th and 10th in each pool advance to 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16.
Teams ranked 11th and 12th in each pool are eliminated from 2022 to 2023 European competition.
Pool A
[edit]
2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup Pool A
Team
v
t
e
P
W
D
L
PF
PA
Diff
TF
TA
TB
LB
Pts
Leinster
4
4
0
0
184
34
+150
28
5
4
0
20
Exeter Chiefs
4
3
0
1
139
68
+71
20
8
4
0
16
Sharks
4
3
0
1
119
89
+30
15
11
3
0
15
Saracens
4
3
0
1
120
94
+26
15
11
2
1
15
Edinburgh
4
3
0
1
111
85
+26
12
11
2
1
15
Harlequins
4
2
0
2
113
108
+5
16
13
3
1
12
Bulls
4
2
0
2
102
139
–37
15
19
2
0
10
Gloucester
4
2
0
2
62
140
–78
9
20
1
0
9
Lyon
4
1
0
3
115
125
–10
16
17
3
1
8
Racing 92
4
1
0
3
60
121
–61
7
18
0
1
5
Bordeaux Bègles
4
0
0
4
53
99
–46
5
13
0
2
2
Castres
4
0
0
4
56
132
–76
6
18
0
0
0
Green background (rows 1 to 8) indicates qualification places for the Champions Cup round of 16.Blue background (rows 9 to 10) indicates qualification places for the Challenge Cup round of 16.Starting table — source: European Professional Club Rugby
Pool B
[edit]
2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup Pool B
Team
v
t
e
P
W
D
L
PF
PA
Diff
TF
TA
TB
LB
Pts
La Rochelle
4
4
0
0
120
57
+63
15
7
2
0
18
Toulouse
4
4
0
0
110
53
+57
12
7
1
0
17
Stormers
4
3
0
1
106
68
+38
13
7
3
0
15
Leicester Tigers
4
3
0
1
116
89
+27
11
10
1
1
14
Ospreys
4
3
0
1
100
88
+12
12
10
1
1
14
Munster
4
2
0
2
73
67
+6
8
5
0
2
10
Montpellier
4
1
1
2
92
104
–12
13
13
2
1
9
Ulster
4
1
0
3
54
93
–39
7
11
1
2
7
Clermont
4
1
0
3
85
111
–26
8
12
1
1
6
Sale Sharks
4
1
0
3
74
94
–20
11
12
1
0
5
London Irish
4
0
1
3
76
115
–39
10
15
0
1
3
Northampton Saints
4
0
0
4
54
121
–67
5
16
0
1
1
Green background (rows 1 to 8) indicates qualification places for the Champions Cup round of 16.Blue background (rows 9 to 10) indicates qualification places for the Challenge Cup round of 16.Starting table — source: European Professional Club Rugby
Knockout stage
[edit]
The knockout stage began with the round of 16, starting on 31 March 2023, and concludes with the final on 20 May 2023.
Unlike the previous year, the round of 16 consists of a single leg of matches, consisting of the top eight ranked teams from Pool A and Pool B respectively, with the top four from each receiving home advantage.[13]
Whilst the round of 16 follows a pre-determined format, the quarter-finals include an expected home advantage to the higher ranked team. The semi-finals are to be played at a neutral venue.
Bracket
[edit]Stade Ernest-Wallon before Toulouse v SharksStade Marcel-Deflandre before La Rochelle v Saracens
Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La RochelleAttendance: 16,000Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Semi-finals
[edit]
Both semi-finals will be played in Europe and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage has country advantage. If a South African team had been ranked higher, the game would still have been located in Europe.[15]
29 April 202315:00
Leinster
41–22
Toulouse
Try: Conan (2) 16' c, 20' cSheehan 26' cvan der Flier 57' cJenkins 63' cCon: R. Byrne (5/5) 18', 22', 27', 58', 64'Pen: R. Byrne (2/2) 4', 12'
Aviva Stadium, DublinAttendance: 51,711Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Leading scorers
[edit]
Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who have not yet earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities.
Most points
[edit]As of 30 April 2023
Source:[16]
Rank
Player
Club
Points
1
Antoine Hastoy
La Rochelle
85
2
Ross Byrne
Leinster
81
3
Thomas Ramos
Toulouse
70
4
Curwin Bosch
Sharks
65
5
Joe Simmonds
Exeter Chiefs
55
6
Handre Pollard
Leicester Tigers
48
7
Owen Farrell
Saracens
40
Most tries
[edit]As of 30 April 2023
Source:[16]
Rank
Player
Club
Tries
1
Josh van der Flier
Leinster
6
2
Sam Simmonds
Exeter Chiefs
5
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
La Rochelle
4
Pierre Bourgarit
La Rochelle
4
Gavin Coombes
Munster
Elliot Daly
Saracens
Thomas Darmon
Montpellier
Ben Earl
Saracens
André Esterhuizen
Harlequins
Deon Fourie
Stormers
Jaden Hendrikse
Sharks
Garry Ringrose
Leinster
See also
[edit]
2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup
Notes
[edit]
^The lowest attendance does not include the match between Ulster and La Rochelle on 17 December 2022, which was played behind closed doors, due to the fixture's forced relocation to a neutral venue.
^Christophe Urios was sacked as head coach of Bordeaux Bègles in November 2022. His assistants, Frédéric Charrier and Julien Laïrle, took over as joint interim head coaches for the rest of the season.[6]
^Jono Gibbes was sacked as head coach of Clermont in January 2023. His assistants took charge of their final pool stage match, with Christophe Urios appointed to take over as the new head coach as of the end of the pool stage.[7]
^Mike Blair was the head coach of Edinburgh until March 2023, having taken charge of the club's pool stage fixtures, before he stepped down to transition into the role of attack coach. Steve Diamond was then appointed to take on head coaching duties for the remainder of the season, from the position of lead rugby consultant.[8]
^Steve Borthwick was the head coach of Leicester until 19 December 2022, when he departed the club to take up the role of England head coach.[9] Assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth was then appointed as the Tigers interim head coach until the end of the season.[10]
^Ulster were also forced to play one home game at the Aviva Stadium behind closed doors during the pool stages, due to the pitch at Ravenhill being frozen.[11]
^ abExeter Chiefs advanced to the quarter-finals after the scores were tied at the end of extra time, due to the try count-back rule, having outscored Montpellier by five tries to four.[14]
References
[edit]
^"2023 Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals set for Dublin's Aviva Stadium". 19 May 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
^"Aviva Stadium To Host 2023 Heineken Champions Cup And Challenge Cup Finals". IRFU. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
^"Champions Cup: Leinster 26-27 La Rochelle - French side edge thriller". BBC. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
^"URC confirms Shield trophies for winners". www.unitedrugby.com. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
^"United Rugby Championship – Summary of Rules". www.unitedrugby.com. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
^"Bordeaux statement: Termination of Christophe Urios' contract". Rugby Pass. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
^"Struggling French powerhouse Clermont fire Kiwi coach Gibbes". France 24. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
^Bean, Graham (9 March 2023). "Steve Diamond is Edinburgh Rugby's new head coach, with new role for Mike Blair". The Scotsman. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
^"Steve Borthwick: England appoint Leicester coach to replace Eddie Jones". BBC Sport. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
^Wright, Jared (19 December 2022). "Premiership: Richard Wigglesworth appointed interim head coach of Leicester Tigers". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
^Watterson, Johnny (17 December 2022). "Ulster and La Rochelle to take place at empty Aviva Stadium". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
^EPC (10 May 2022). "EPCR 2022/23 season dates announced". Retrieved 16 May 2022.
^"Heineken Champions Cup – Round of 16 fixture dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage". EPCR. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
^"European Professional Club Rugby - Champions Cup - Rules". EPCR. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
^Tarbouriech, Laura (6 April 2023). "Heineken Champions Cup semi-final venues". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
^ ab"Tournament Statistics". EPCR. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
v
t
e
European Rugby Champions Cup
Organised by European Professional Club RugbyFormerly the Heineken Cup, organised by European Rugby Cup
Exeter
Leicester
London (see map below)
England
France
Ireland
Scotland
South Africa
Wales
Tabai Matson 
Exeter
Leicester
London (see map below)
