The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup get underway on Friday 6 December, kicking off a landmark 30th season for the pinnacle of international club rugby. A total of 42 teams play in the two competitions, 13 of which are “Macron teams” from eight different nations (England, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales).
When both tournaments kick off, the Macron Hero will take the field for the first time in every game, thanks to the partnership announced this October with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), the tournament organiser of both championships. As part of the partnership, Macron supplies kits for over 300 of the tournaments’ referees and match officials.
This extensive presence confirms Macron’s international leadership in the world of rugby. As well as on the kits of the referees, the Macron Hero will also appear on the kits of four clubs in the Investec Champions Cup (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Northampton Saints, Glasgow Warriors, and Sale Sharks) and nine in the EPCR Challenge Cup (Cardiff Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby, Emirates Lions, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Ospreys, Toyota Cheetahs, Black Lion and Section Paloise).
The round 1 matches of both competitions will take place on the 6/7/8 December, with the Macron Hero making its first appearance in the EPCR Challenge Cup on the shirts of Edinburgh Rugby who take on Gloucester Rugby away from home in the opening match of the competition. The first round of both competitions will also see Macron derbies. In the Investec Champions Cup, Glasgow Warriors will play against Sale Sharks, while in the EPCR Challenge Cup Lyon Olympique Universitaire will play Cardiff Rugby and the Ospreys will face Emirates Lions.
With every club intent on winning the championship, the matches are sure to present exciting and hard-fought challenges, but the games are equally certain to be played in true sporting spirit, with passion, dedication, sacrifice and teamwork coming to the fore on the field. We wish all the players, staff, and match officials a season of great rugby in the true spirit of the Macron Hero.
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