That aside, it will come as no surprise that the bookies make the home side favourites in all eight Champions Cup round of 16 ties this weekend. History certainly supports this probability, given that all eight home sides advanced when the one-legged Round of 16 was introduced in the 2022-23 season. Hence, of 42 knockout ties in the last three seasons up to the finals, the home side has emerged victorious on 37 occasions. Nevertheless, that three-time champions such as Saracens or two-time title winners such as Leicester are prepared to virtually sacrifice their continuing presence in the Champions Cup in preference to their domestic league is an awful look for the competition. But this is the price the competition pays for the French insisting upon the primacy of their domestic Championship and compressing the Champions Cup into eight weekends instead of nine.

Source: The Irish Times April 04, 2026 05:22 UTC