Champions Cup Draw 2016/17

By Mark Stevens
29/6/2016

Exeter Chiefs will face familiar foes following today's European Champions Cup draw held in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

Rob Baxter's side, who were ranked as one of five Tier One sides, will face ASM Clermont-Auvergne, Bordeaux-Begles and Ulster in Pool 5 of this season's competition.

In a repeat of last season's draw, the Devon club will again head across the English Channel to face Top 14 sides ASM Clermont-Auvergne and Bordeaux-Begles in Europe's premier cup competition.

Last season Baxter's side impressively ran out 31-14 winners over Clermont at home, as well as beating Bordeaux-Begles 34-19 at Sandy Park. Away from home, however, they suffered a 42-10 humbling to Clermont at Stade Marcel Michelin, but secured a crucial bonus point in a 34-27 loss to Bordeaux that helped them qualify for a first-ever quarter-final appearance against Wasps.

The other fixture in Pool 5 will see the Chiefs face Pro 12 opponents Ulster, who will also be heading to Devon this August for one of the club's three pre-season fixtures.

The two clubs have met previously, having faced off in a pre-season friendly in August 2014, when on that occasion the Chiefs won 22-21 at the Kingspan Stadium.
2016/17 Champions Cup pools

Pool 1: Racing 92, Glasgow Warriors, Leicester Tigers, Munster Rugby
Pool 2: Connacht Rugby, Wasps, Toulouse, Zebre Rugby
Pool 3: Saracens, RC Toulon, Scarlets, Sale Sharks
Pool 4: Leinster Rugby, Montpellier, Northampton Saints, Castres Olympique
Pool 5: Exeter Chiefs, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ulster Rugby, Bordeaux-Bègles

EPCR weekends – 2016/17

Round 1: 13/14/15/16 October
Round 2: 20/21/22/23 October
Round 3: 8/9/10/11 December
Round 4: 15/16/17/18 December
Round 5: 12/13/14/15 January 2017
Round 6: 19/20/21/22 January 2017
Quarter-Finals: 30/31 March - 1/2 April 2017
Semi-Finals: 21/22/23 April 2017

Finals Edinburgh 2017
European Rugby Challenge Cup: Friday, 12 May, BT Murrayfield Stadium
European Rugby Champions Cup: Saturday, 13 May, BT Murrayfield Stadium