Take a better have a look at Munster’s Champions Cup Pool opponents for the 2024/25 season following this week’s draw.
Munster will play two residence video games and two away video games in Pool 3 with Stade Français, Castres Olympique and Northampton Saints offering the opposition.
Vodacom Bulls, the second URC membership in Pool 3, will play towards the identical opponents as Munster.
The Investec Champions Cup might be performed over eight weekends with 4 pool stage rounds and 4 knockout stage rounds culminating within the 2025 ultimate which might be staged at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday, twenty fourth Might.
Fixture particulars might be confirmed at a later date.
Stade Français
Stade Français, primarily based in Paris, is likely one of the oldest and most storied golf equipment in French rugby historical past, taking part in their residence matches on the 20,000 capability Stade Jean-Bouin. This season, they got here in second place within the Prime 14, dropping out to Bordeaux-Bègles within the semi-final.
Within the Champions Cup, Stade Français has skilled blended success. Whereas they’ve been a dominant drive within the Prime 14, their efficiency in Europe has been extra variable.
They reached the European ultimate within the 2004-2005 season however had been narrowly defeated by Toulouse. The final time Stade Français performed Munster within the Champions Cup was in 2016 at Thomond Park, and ended with Munster defeating the French aspect 26-13.
The Membership has been residence to a number of notable gamers over time contributing considerably to its success, corresponding to Italian quantity 8 Sergio Parisse, and welcomed worldwide Rory Kockott this season. The Membership additionally took on former Harlequin Joe Marchant in a shock signing this yr.
They’ve 5 gamers within the French Squad for the summer season tour towards Los Pumas, together with Léo Barré, Lester Etien, Pierre-Henri Azagoh, Romain Briatte and Baptiste Pesenti.
Regardless of not having received the distinguished European title, Stade Français stays a aggressive aspect, persistently qualifying for the event and difficult a few of the greatest groups throughout Europe. Their resilience and aptitude make them a formidable opponent in any European competitors.
Northampton Saints
Based mostly within the English midlands, the present Premiership Champions, Northampton Saints, play their residence video games on the 15,200 capability Franklin’s Gardens.
Munster have confronted the Saints numerous instances lately, profitable residence and away pool fixtures final yr, however dropping out to the Englishmen in each Champions Cup matches this season.
The primary of the 2 fixtures had been performed in January at Thomond Park, the place regardless of main 20-10 at one stage, and with the Saints right down to 14 males after a crimson card, the Munster males misplaced out narrowly 26-23.
Graham Rowntree’s aspect headed to Northampton within the first match of the knock-out levels, however the Saints pulled forward after the midway mark, to safe their place within the quarter-final. With the rating stage at half-time, and after tries from Mike Haley and Sean O’Brien, it was all to play for, however the Saints got here again with two spectacular tries from younger full-back George Hendy, securing the win for the hosts.
The Saints have a robust squad that includes present England gamers corresponding to Alex Mitchell, George Furbank, Tommy Freeman and Fin Smith, with Ollie Sleightholme in line to make his worldwide debut towards the All Blacks this summer season. They are going to, nonetheless, really feel the lack of the imperious Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Waller as they transfer abroad subsequent season to French golf equipment or into retirement.
Regardless of the staff choice for the upcoming video games, there are certain to be some thrilling match-ups between the 2 sides.
Saracens
Saracens Rugby Membership, primarily based in northwest London, has advanced into one of many main forces in each English and European rugby.
Enjoying their residence matches on the StoneX, the Membership has boasted numerous gamers who’ve made important contributions to their success. Captain Owen Farrell, performs alongside England internationals Maro Itoje, Theo Dan, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Elliot Daly and England Captain, Jamie George.
Saracens additionally reached the final 16 on this yr’s European competitors, after struggling defeat by the hands of French Prime 14 outfit Bordeaux-Bègles. The skilled aspect have received the Champions Cup title thrice, with victories in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Munster final performed Saracens within the 2019 semi-final, however misplaced 32-16 to the eventual champions.
Considered one of their notable encounters occurred through the 2007-08 Heineken Cup, the place Munster secured a semi-final victory over Saracens, profitable 18-16. This match was a good affair, with Munster demonstrating their resilience and superior to the ultimate. They finally triumphed over Toulouse to assert the title.
Saracens have been actively bolstering their squad following the announcement Owen Farrell and the Vunipola brothers’ departure this summer season, with the additions of Fergus Burke from the Crusaders and Welsh worldwide Rhys Carre.
Their achievements in Europe, coupled with their a number of Premiership titles, most lately profitable within the 22/23 Season, underscore Saracens’ standing as one of many premier rugby golf equipment on this planet.
Castres Olympique
The French aspect are revered opponents, ending mid-table within the Prime 14 this season.
They’re identified for his or her tenacity and talent to problem a few of the strongest groups in Europe, with the 12,500 capability Stade Pierre-Fabre a venue that’s famed for giving the staff their sturdy home-field benefit.
Castres have a various report within the competitors, and whereas they haven’t persistently been among the many prime contenders, they’ve had a number of notable seasons. The membership’s greatest efficiency within the competitors got here within the 2001-2002 season after they reached the semi-finals.
Castres Olympique v Munster within the Champions Cup is likely one of the most performed fixtures within the historical past of the competitors.
Final time Munster performed the Frenchmen was in January 2022 away, for the 18th conflict between the 2 sides. Jack Crowley made his first Champions Cup begin and Gavin Coombes scored a late match winner, securing the win at 13-16.
2024/25 Weekends
Spherical 1 – 6/7/8 December
Spherical 2 – 13/14/15 December
Spherical 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
Spherical 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
Spherical of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
Semi-finals – 2/3/4 Might 2025
2025 EPCR Problem Cup ultimate – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Friday 23 Might
2025 Investec Champions Cup ultimate – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Saturday 24 Might
