Champions Cup Fixtures 2019/20

By Mark Stevens
23/8/19

Exeter Chiefs will kick-off their 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a trip to French Top 14 side La Rochelle.

Rob Baxter's side will embark on their latest European season on Saturday, November 16 at the Stade Marcel Deflandre (kick-off 4:15pm).

It will be Exeter's second trip to the French club, having previously played them back in December 2014 in the European Challenge Cup when they won 36-10, courtesy of tries from Tom James, Brett Sturgess, Byron McGuigan and Fetu'u Vainikolo.

Gareth Steenson - who landed two conversions and four penalties - was one of four current Chiefs, the others being Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dave Ewers and Ian Whitten, who featured that night.

A week later, the Chiefs followed up that win by defeating La Rochelle 41-17 at Sandy Park.

Following the trip across the English Channel, the Chiefs will play host to Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park on Saturday, November 23 (3:15pm).

The two clubs have previously met four times in the competition with the Scottish outfit winning three of the four meetings. Exeter's sole victory was two years ago when they won 24-15 thanks to tries from Harry Williams, Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds. Fly-half Steenson kicked the remainder of the points with his trusty right boot.

This year's game will also signal a quick meeting for Exeter's summer signing Stuart Hogg with his former club. The Scotland and British Lions star spent nine seasons at Scotstoun before sealing a move to the Chiefs on a two-year deal.

After the opening two rounds of action, Europe will take a brief break before returning in December with it's traditional back-to-back fixtures in Rounds Three and Four.

This season, the Chiefs will face familiar foes when they come up against Gallagher Premiership rivals Sale Sharks. The two will meet first at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday, December 8 (3:15pm) before locking horns again a week later on Sunday, December 15 (1pm) at Sandy Park.

Again, there will be a month's break from the competition before the pool stages are wrapped up with the final two games in January. The Chiefs first travel to Glasgow on Saturday, January 11 (3:15pm), before concluding their Pool Two fixtures with a home encounter against La Rochelle on Saturday, January 18 (5:30pm).

All six games will be screened live on BT Sport and Bein Sports.

Commenting on the draw, Chiefs' Director of Rugby Baxter said: “It was almost destined that with us having signed Stuart from Glasgow this season that he would end up facing them in Europe. I think he even predicted it himself in an interview last week!

Ian Whitten in action for the Chiefs against La Rochelle during the 2014 European Challenge Cup meeting at Sandy Park. Picture: Getty Images

“Having played Glasgow in the past, we know they will pose a tough challenge to us. They have a team packed with Scottish internationals and are a team, a bit like ourselves, who really like to attack. A couple of years ago we got the better of them here in the early rounds, but then they got their own back on us by beating us in that final round game up in the snow.

“As for La Rochelle, it’s been a few years since we faced them in the Challenge Cup. Again, they will be a different beast to what they were back then – and as for Sale, every year when you look at the fixture list, you always know going up there is one of your toughest away days.

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is looking for his side to really kick on in Europe this season. Picture: www.jmpuk.com

“Yes, it’s another tough group when you look at it on paper, but this is the top competition in Europe so there shouldn’t be any easy games in there. I’m sure the other teams will be looking at this pool and thinking it’s not going to be easy, especially with Exeter in there.”

Baxter has made no secret of the fact that he is keen to see his Chiefs side kick on in Europe’s top club competition this season. Just once before have the Devonians advanced into the latter stages of the Champions Cup, that was back in 2016 when Jimmy Gopperth’s last-gasp conversion saw Wasps to a 25-24 victory at the Ricoh Arena.

“It’s a good draw for us,” added Baxter. “At the same time, I want us to start setting ourselves these challenges of being a top European side. We’ve been guilty in the past of not quite reaching our potential within this competition, but hopefully that will change this season.”