The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup knockouts take place this weekend with several Vodacom United Rugby Championship (VURC) sides in action.
Knockout rugby has finally arrived with the last 16 taking place across both competitions this weekend.
Edinburgh and the Emirates Lions are first up tonight in an all-VURC affair with both teams battling it out on both fronts with one eye on the #RaceToTheEight.
Then it’s over to Dublin for a huge tie between VURC league leaders, Leinster and English giants, Harlequins.
Leinster have failed at the final hurdle the last three seasons in a row, and will be hoping to go one better this year.
They welcome back all their internationals this week with the likes of Caelan Doris, Robbie Henshaw, Jamison Gibson-Park and more all in their starting line-up.
At the same time on Saturday, Benetton travel to France to take on a Castres side that defeated Munster in the pool stages.
Speaking of Munster, they also travel to France to take on a La Rochelle side coached by club legend Ronan O’Gara in what promises to be a special occasion.
The French side are on a poor run of form while Munster will be galvanised by a huge bonus-point win over Connacht at MacHale Park in Round 14.
Reigning VURC champions Glasgow Warriors welcome Leicester Tigers to Scotstoun in their Investec Champions Cup last 16 fixture.
The Tigers are in excellent form and currently sit 3rd in the Premiership table, while Glasgow are fresh off a thumping 42-0 win over Emirates Lions in Round 14.
Back to the Challenge Cup, and the Vodacom Bulls have been boosted by the return of Cameron Hanekom and Johan Goosen as they face Bayonne away from home, while Connacht take on Cardiff in another all-VURC affair at the Dexcom Stadium, with the Irish side the top seed in the competition after the pool stages.
Then there’s just one VURC team in action on Sunday in the Champions Cup, with Ulster facing the difficult task of taking on Bordeaux-Begles.
But there is an all-VURC affair once again when Ospreys host Scarlets.
>>>Story courtesy of https://www.unitedrugby.com/latest<<<
