CHAMPIONS CUP AND CHALLENGE CUP FINALS AND KICK-OFF TIMES CONFIRMED

Toulouse will face Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London just a day after the Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and the Sharks.

Leinster booked their place in the final after defeating Northampton Saints 20-17 in their semi-final clash at Croke Park on Saturday.

Route to the final

Leo Cullen’s side will look to equal Toulouse’s record tally of five Champions Cup titles. They reached the final after topping their group and defeating Leicester Tigers and La Rochelle in their round-of-16 and quarter-final, respectively.

Meanwhile, Toulouse defeated Harlequins 38-26 in their semi-final after knocking Racing 92 and Exeter Chiefs out of the competition in the last 16 and quarter-finals. Ugo Mola’s side will be chasing a record sixth title, which would pull them two clear of Leinster – who have four tournament wins.

Antoine Dupont double fires Toulouse to Champions Cup title showdown with Leinster

Gloucester and Sharks will be out to end their seasons on a high after struggling in the Premiership and United Rugby Championship in 2023/24.

The Cherry and Whites booked their place in the showpiece event on Friday evening at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by claiming a 40-23 victory over Benetton. That came after knockout wins over Castres and Ospreys.

Leinster v Northampton Saints: Five takeaways from the Champions Cup clash as vintage Jamison Gibson-Park gets better with age

They face off against the Durban-based Sharks who claimed a single point victory over Top 14 giants Clermont at the Twickenham Stoop (32-31). That came after wins over Zebre Parma and Edinburgh in the last 16 and quarter-final, respectively.

John Plumtree’s charges could become the first South African team to win an EPCR tournament while Gloucester are vying for their third title after winning two of their previously three final appearances.

The winner of the Challenge Cup final will also automatically qualify for the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup.

Sharks v Clermont: Five takeaways including Springbok wildcard Siya Masuku as big names secure Challenge Cup final spot

Challenge Cup and Champions Cup final fixtures Gloucester v Sharks

Date: Friday, May 24

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Kick-off: 20:00 BST

TV coverage: TNT Sports / France TV / beIN SPORTS / ITV / SuperSport / RTE / epcrugby.tv

Toulouse v Leinster

Date: Saturday, May 25

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Kick-off: 14:45 BST

TV coverage: TNT Sports / France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / RTE / epcrugby.tv

READ MORE: ‘Something almost horrific happened’ – James Lowe reflects on Leinster’s narrow win over Northampton Saints

2024-05-05T15:50:03Z dg43tfdfdgfd