Champions Cup: The Four Standout Ties Not To Miss This Season

The remoulding of Europe’s premier competition didn’t exactly go down well on its introduction three years ago, but there’s little doubting now that establishing the Champions Cup has created a competition in which one mistake could prove to be lethal and every single group offers up some mouthwatering clashes.

Following on from Wednesday’s draw in Neuchatel, Switzerland, here are four ties that you would be best advised to park yourself in front of the TV or in the stands for.

Racing 92 v Munster

Normally the match-up of Leicester Tigers and Munster would steal the show after so many European classics over the years, but the two sides met as recently as last season in the pool stages. Therefore, this time around, the plotline of Ronan O’Gara, the Racing 92 assistant coach fresh from winning the Top 14 title in Barcelona, returning to the province where he played his entire career is very special.

Europe’s all-time leading points scorer and appearance holder will no doubt have a lump in his throat returning to Thomond Park for the first time since his retirement. That’s all before remembering that Racing, so hungry for success before the domestic triumph, will be desperate to add a European crown to their collection after missing out in this year’s Champions Cup final.

Connacht v Wasps

PRO12 champions against the rising force (well certainly the richest) of English rugby. Connacht only lifted the PRO12 title to the shock of everybody but themselves a few weeks ago but expectations are already rising about whether or not they can repeat or match last year’s shock factor by progressing in Europe.

Both teams will have been pleased by the prospect of 8-10 points from playing Zebre twice across the group stages, and Wasps will also have a chip on their shoulder following last season’s semi-final defeat to eventual champions Saracens. Considering what Connacht have already achieved and the names being added to the Wasps squad – Danny Cipriani and Kurtley Beale headlining the incomings – this fixture could be very special.

Saracens v Toulon

The reigning champions taking on their predecessors – that should be enough to lure you in. Saracens don’t want to be a one-title wonder; their aim is to emulate Toulon and win multiple trophies to become a dynasty.

History tells us that going back-to-back in Europe is enormously hard – only Leicester (2001 and 2002) and Leinster (2011 and 2012) have managed it. Along with, guess who, Toulon. Saracens by far and away were the best side in Europe in 2015/2016 and Toulon will be enraged by finishing their campaign without any silverware to their name. These two also have history – the 2014 final – adding some extra spice to what will be a mammoth match-up over the two games.

Exeter v Clermont v Bordeaux-Bègles

Premiership finalists for the first time in 2015/2016, Exeter Chiefs’ rise shows no signs of slowing down. They made this season’s European Cup quarter-finals off the back of Clermont’s implosion at home to… Bordeaux-Bègles. Pairing these three together the following season only seems right after that day of drama to decide the quarter-finals spots, and there are plenty of additional subplots at play as all three sides prepare to do battle once more.

Can Exeter’s squad handle two tough trips to France and improve on last season’s two defeats? How will Clermont bounce back after missing out on the knockout stages for the first time in four seasons? And will UBB, one of the fastest rising sides in France with flash new signings in Rebels lock Luke Jones and Leinster’s Ian Madigan, be able to cause an upset?

Fixtures have yet to be confirmed but the tournament gets underway in mid October.

Mike Catt told Danny Cipriani 'I will end your England career' before fly-half was cut from Rugby World Cup squad as RFU confirm training ground clash

It was supposed to be a squad day off, but England found themselves in fire-fighting mode again yesterday, in relation to Mike Catt’s remarkable training-ground outburst at Danny Cipriani.

As reported by Sportsmail on Monday, the attacking-skills coach and the fly-half were involved in a verbal confrontation at England’s Surrey HQ at the end of August, shortly after Cipriani had been told he would not be in the final World Cup squad of 31. 

Catt over-reacted to a perceived lack of effort in a training drill and allegedly told the 27-year-old twice: ‘I will end your England career’.

The RFU confirmed a training ground incident occurred between Danny Cipriani (left) and coach Mike Catt 

Catt (second right with Stuart Lancaster's England coaching staff) told Cipriani: 'I will end your England career'

Other players are said to have been so taken aback by the force of the coach’s remarks that they sided with their team-mate and it is understood Catt later apologised. 

There was a concerted attempt to prevent the incident coming to light, but details emerged this week and forced the RFU into another damage-limitation exercise.

In the aftermath of England’s defeat against Australia which confirmed the pool-stage exit from their home tournament, alleged pre-match comments by Billy Vunipola came to light, suggesting unrest in the ranks over the selection of Sam Burgess and coach Andy Farrell’s dominant influence. 

RFU officials were forced into a scramble to address these off-message revelations that cast doubt on the official image of serene unity.

Now news of the Catt-Cipriani row has prompted another clear-up exercise. 

Cipriani heard news that he would be cut from the final World Cup squad just hours before the clash

A spokesman emphasised that the coach’s outburst came — crucially — after the player had learned he was to be cut from the squad, saying: ‘Danny and Mike were involved in a robust conversation on the training pitch following a misunderstanding around a training-drill instruction.

'Both shook hands afterwards and the incident had no bearing on selection.’

The incident does not create a favourable impression given that Cipriani’s case for inclusion was widely supported by public and pundits, but not by the coaches. 

Any suggestion of a personal agenda against him would create a stench.

The RFU denies there was almost a mutiny in the England ranks between the coach and players 

The damage-limitation operation continued yesterday. Despite having other significant issues on their plate — with a World Cup review pending — England and the RFU micro-managed the fallout from this episode. 

It is understood that Cipriani intended to respond publicly but there was a determination to sanitise all comment on the subject. Numerous phone calls were made to douse the flames.

But the fire keeps spreading. England will discover this morning whether they face any action over allegations that two coaches confronted a match official during half-time in their defeat by Australia, in defiance of regulations. 

The investigation has rumbled on longer than expected, suggesting that there may be a significant development.

It is understood that fly-half Cipriani intended to respond publicly but was discouraged from doing so

James Haskell (left) responded furiously on Twitter to criticism from England World Cup winner Neil Back

Meanwhile, as he prepares for a return to the starting line-up for the meaningless encounter with Uruguay on Saturday, England flanker James Haskell became embroiled yesterday in a social-media spat with a World Cup- winning predecessor.

Neil Back lit the fuse when he tweeted: ‘Don’t take your selfie stick out on to the pitch before the game like you did against Fiji on 18th Sept.’

Haskell bit back: ‘I wasn’t even playing! You’re so old and out of touch, your eyes don’t work. I hope your book sales go better than your coaching.’ 

He went on: ‘You were one of my childhood rugby heroes, yet your general negativity towards myself and the team is appalling. You talk about my self-promotion, yet you have released a sensationalist book just to make cash.’

England's Cipriani and Catt in training ground bust-up - report

LONDON (Reuters) - England flyhalf Danny Cipriani and attack coach Mike Catt were involved in a heated training ground argument before the Rugby World Cup, British newspapers reported on Wednesday.

The incident happened after 27-year-old Cipriani was informed that he had not made the final 31-man squad for the tournament but before it was announced publicly five weeks ago.

Catt, 44, threatened Cipriani twice and told him he would "end his England career" before other players stepped in to separate the pair, the Daily Mail reported.

The Rugby Football Union played down the seriousness of the altercation.

"Danny and Mike were involved in a robust conversation on the training pitch following a misunderstanding around a training drill instruction," an RFU spokesman said on Wednesday.

"Both shook hands afterwards and the incident played no bearing on selection."

Cipriani, a gifted and exciting attacking player but whose defensive qualities have been questioned, has represented England 14 times since making his debut in 2008.

His omission from the World Cup squad after playing well in England's warm-up matches provoked considerable debate and coach Stuart Lancaster was criticised for favouring more defensive players, including rugby league convert Sam Burgess.

England, knocked out of the tournament after losing to Wales and Australia, play Uruguay in their final Pool A game on Saturday.

(Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by David Goodman)

Danny Cipriani: Relationship with Mike Catt is fine following training ground bust-up

Danny Cipriani says he still dreams of playing for England again and that he has a “good working relationship” with national team assistant Mike Catt.

Cipriani was not part of England’s failed World Cup campaign but he hit the news this week when reports emerged of a pre-tournament training ground bust-up with Red Rose attacking skills coach Catt.

MikeCatt pictured with head coach Stuart Lancaster.

England have played down what they described as a “robust conversation” which came about following a “misunderstanding”, and Cipriani also appears to have drawn a line under the incident as well.

The Sale fly-half wrote in his column in The Sun: “There has been a lot said about a training ground incident I had with Mike Catt this week when I was with England.

“But I respect what happens in the England camp and what goes on there, stays there.

“We spoke and addressed the issue the next day and we have a good working relationship.”

The flashpoint happened the day before England’s World Cup squad was officially announced in August, with Cipriani discovering the previous evening that he was to be omitted from the final 31 with George Ford and Owen Farrell getting the nods.

England would go on to suffer World Cup ignominy as the hosts were knocked out before the end of the group stages following back-to-back defeats to Wales and Australia.

That has led to speculation about the futures of the England coaching team and some of the team, but Cipriani says there is no need to panic and has called for unity.

The 27-year-old is also hoping he can push his claims for an international recall ahead of the Six Nations.

“We now need to regroup and rebuild. Whatever happens, we need to move forward as one now,” he wrote.

“I don’t think there’s a reason to panic and think that the English game is doomed. There are still a lot of world-class players in that England squad.

He added: “For me, playing for England is still my dream.

“The commitment and drive to put on the white shirt is still there. Everyone is going to go out there and put their hands up and say ’pick me’.

“Sale Sharks are now my priority along with getting stuck into the season. If I play well for them, that’s all I can do to be selected for the Six Nations squad.”

ends