Challenge Cup

European Champions Club Rugby Battle on Digicel TV

The Heineken Champions Cup will see three French teams with one from Ireland as there are no English clubs in the top four for the fourth time in the past 11 years.

Four-time winners, Toulouse, will go head-to-head with Heineken Cup semi-final first-timers, Bordeaux-Begles, on Sunday at 3am.

In the second semi-final, recent nominee for European Player of the Year, Flying Fijian center, Levani Botia and his La Rochelle side make their debut in this stage when they take on top Irish club and four-time champion, Leinster, on Monday at 3am.

Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup suspended temporarily

It comes after the French government decreed its clubs should not play in the competitions this month.

As a result, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) says it had "no choice" but to postpone all matches scheduled for the weekends of 16 and 23 January.

However, EPCR aims to resume and finish the tournaments "as soon as practicable".

Tournament chiefs hope two rounds of Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup pool games on the weekends of 15-17 and 22-24 can go ahead at a later date as authorities deal with the impact of a new strain of Covid-19.

Premiership suspended, Euro QFs off

Premiership Rugby's decision followed new guidance from the United Kingdom government on Monday.

British prime minister Boris Johnson encouraged people to avoid mass gatherings and all "non-essential" travel and contact with others.

"The safety of our fans, players and staff is our first priority, and we would like to wish all of those who are affected our heartfelt best wishes and a very speedy recovery," a Premiership Rugby statement read.

Challenge Cup: Sale & Toulouse draw

The Australian lined up at fly-half for the home side at AJ Bell Stadium, but could not quite inspire his team to victory in the Pool 2 meeting.

Toulouse were first on the board through Semi Kunatani, and the lead stood at 14-3 when Sebastien Bezy went over under the posts before converting his own score.

Sale pulled themselves back into contention just before half-time thanks to Denny Solomona's try and they were ahead for the first time as Bryn Evans charged down a kick and touched down 10 minutes into the second period.