Munster Rugby to face familiar foes in Champions Cup last 16 clash

MUNSTER Rugby are set for a rematch with Northampton Saints at the last 16 stage of the Investec Champions Cup in April.

The knock-out fixture will give Munster a quick chance to avenge their disappointing 23-26 defeat to Premiership side Northampton at a wet and windy in front of an official attendance of 24,620 at Thomond Park on Saturday night.

Munster surrendered a 20-10 lead early in the second half against opponents who played the final 40 minutes of the contest with 14 players to suffer just their sixth ever home defeat in the group stages of the Champions Cup.

The losing bonus point Munster secured on the night did secure their passage into the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup and following the completion of the remaining pool fixtures on Sunday evening it was confirmed that a trip to Franklin's Gardens awaits Graham Rowntree's men in the knock-out stages of the competition on the weekend of April 5-7.

While Northampton claimed top spot in Pool 3, Munster finished fourth in the pool and were ranked 14th of the 16 sides to make the knock-out stages.

Should Munster overcome Northampton in their last 16 clash, they will travel to the winners of the Bulls v Lyon tie in the quarter-finals.

Round of 16

Seeding number in brackets

R16 1: Toulouse (1) v Racing 92 (16)

R16 2: Leinster (2) v Leicester (15)

R16 3: Northampton Saints (3) v Munster (14)

R16 4: Bordeaux Begles (4) v Saracens (13)

R16 5: Harlequins (5) v Glasgow Warriors (12)

R16 6: Bulls (6) v Lyon (11)

R16 7: Stormers (7) v La Rochelle (10)

R16 8: Exeter Chiefs (8) v Bath (9)

Quarter-finals

2.7 The quarter-finals will be played over one match and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage as follows:

QF 1: Winner R16 1 v Winner R16 8

QF 2: Winner R16 2 v Winner R16 7

QF 3: Winner R16 3 v Winner R16 6

QF 4: Winner R16 4 v Winner R16 5

Semi-finals

The semi-finals will be played in Europe and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage.

SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 4

SF 2: Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 3

Final

The 2024 final will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London on Saturday 25 May.