LEINSTER GET THEIR DATE WITH SARRIES
THIS season’s Champions Cup quarter-finals have been rescheduled for the weekend of September 19-20. The knockout stages were initially postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic but European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has set new dates for the resumption. Leinster will get the action underway against defending champions Saracens at Aviva Stadium on Saturday 19, with the meeting of last year’s finalists set to kick-off at 3pm. The all-French clash between Clermont Auvergne and Racing 92 at Stade Marcel-Michelin will follow later that day. On Sunday, Ulster travel to Toulouse, with the game kicking off at 12.30pm, while the quarter-final weekend concludes with the all-English clash between Exeter and Northampton at Sandy Park at 5.30pm. ‘All matches will be subject to government guidelines and/or restrictions with EPCR prioritising the health and welfare of players, club staff, match officials, media, supporters and the wider rugby community,’ said the EPCR yesterday. The semi-finals will be staged the weekend of September 25 with the final to take place the weekend of October 16, with the venue yet to be confirmed. Leinster will have to deal with the threat of England and Lions star Owen Farrell when they meet Saracens in September after the outhalf commited his future to the club for the forseeable future. It means Farrell will be playing in the second-tier Championship after the club were relegated for breaking the salary cap, but England head coach Eddie Jones yesterday said he will be happy to select Saracens’ senior stars like Farrell and Jamie George, even while not playing in the top tier of the English club game. Asked if he is comfortable with Farrell and Saracens’ England men plying their trade in the Championship, Jones said: ‘Well, I’ll be comfortable if they are in good form. ‘Without sounding too grandiose, if I look at Owen Farrell it doesn’t matter what game he plays, I’ve got a pretty good understanding of where he needs to be.’