European Champions Cup fixtures 16/17

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

By Mark Stevens
19/8/2016

Exeter Chiefs will kick-off their 2016/17 European Champions Cup campaign with a home date against ASM Clermont Auvergne.

The French giants will be heading back to Sandy Park after the kick-off times and dates for the fixtures in Pool 5 were confirmed today by European Professional Club Rugby.

Last season the Chiefs recorded a memorable 31-14 victory over the Top 14 outfit on Devon soil, before they were beaten 42-10 in the reverse fixture a week later at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

It was, however, the Chiefs who advanced to the last eight of European Rugby’s top cup competition as they advanced past Clermont, the Ospreys and Bordeaux-Begles, who have also been pitted for a second successive season against the Chiefs.

Rob Baxter’s side will open their European account on Sunday, October 16 with a 5:30pm clash that will be screened live on BT Sport.

Six days later, the Chiefs will head across the Irish Sea to tackle Ulster Rugby at the Kingspan Stadium in another televised clash on Saturday, October 22 (7:45pm).

European action resumes again in December when Bordeaux-Begles visit the Westcountry on Sunday, December 11 (5:30pm) before the return leg follows at the Stade Chaban Delmas on Saturday, December 17 (2pm).

Round Five will see Ulster visit Sandy Park over the weekend of January 13-15 with the Chiefs wrapping things up in Clermont the following weekend.

Kick-off dates and times for Rounds 5 & 6 will not be decided until after Round 4 has been completed.

POOL 5 - EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP FIXTURES

ROUND 1 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

Bordeaux-Begles v Ulster Rugby (2pm)
Exeter Chiefs v ASM Clermont Auvergne (5:30pm) - BT SPORT

ROUND 2 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

ASM Clermont Auvergne v Bordeaux-Begles (4:15pm)
Ulster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs (7:45pm) - BT SPORT

ROUND 3 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

Ulster Rugby v ASM Clermont Auvergne (1pm)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11

Exeter Chiefs v Bordeaux-Begles (5:30pm) - BT SPORT

ROUND 4 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

Bordeaux-Begles v Exeter Chiefs (2pm) - SKY Sports

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18