Epcr European Rugby Show

“We expected the bubble to burst – but it never did!” David Humphreys captained Ulster to the greatest season in their history, as they defied the odds to conquer Europe in 1999. The current Gloucester coach describes in brilliant detail how the “Sea of Red” led the Northern Irishmen to Heineken Champions Cup glory.  

Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam takes us through his remarkable Heineken Champions Cup win with Northampton Saints in 2000 – but admits he never even wanted to sign for them! The Samoa legend also talks about his love for Newcastle and reveals the coaching masterclass that helped Connacht shock the world.

One of the greatest players in rugby history, Shane Williams relives his roller-coaster European Cup journey with Martyn Hindley. The former Ospreys winger talks Galacticos, champagne rugby and the darkest day in his career. 

BT Sport’s Nick Mullins explains the pressure of commentating on the biggest matches in the Heineken Champions Cup. As one of rugby’s best known voices, Mullins speaks to Martyn Hindley about his greatest European moments, his favourite stadium, and how the likes of Austin Healey and Brian O’Driscoll have adjusted to life in the media.

One of the finest photographers to grace the game, Getty’s Dave Rogers, shares his experiences of covering every Heineken Champions Cup Final since the competition’s inception in 1995. From the first final in Cardiff to last year’s showpiece at St James’ Park, Dave reveals his favourite moments, stories and - most importantly – picture of the last 25 years.

Cardiff Blues icon, Martyn Williams, relives the agony of that historic penalty shoot-out miss, recounting an incredible story of belief, hope and heartbreak. The proud Welsh flanker sits down with Martyn Hindley to talk about his love for the Heineken Champions Cup, his biggest regrets and putting Cardiff on the map.

ASM Clermont Auvergne full back Nick Abendanon shares his European rugby journey which has seen him ply his trade for two great clubs either side of the Channel – Bath in England and Clermont in France. He discusses individual success (including the prestigious European Champions Cup Player of the Year Award in 2015) and team heartache, which has seen him agonisingly miss out in two Heineken Champions Cup Finals – despite scoring tries in both!

Leinster legend Jamie Heaslip discusses everything from taking inspiration from Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway to using the Dallas Cowboys as a template for success. The former Ireland and Lions number 8 talks us through his remarkable European Cup story, and reveals how he celebrated his first Heineken Champions Cup triumph!

Munster hero Alan Quinlan is the latest legend to relive his Heineken Champions Cup story with Martyn Hindley. Quinlan reveals he never believed Munster could rule Europe, what was going through his head during the Miracle Match, and how his Munster side compare to his beloved Liverpool FC!

South Africa legend Bryan Habana joins Martyn Hindley to celebrate 25 years of the Heineken Champions Cup. One of the fastest men ever to play the game, the World Cup winner discusses lifting trophies, his love for Jonah Lomu and why kids shouldn’t grow up wanting to race cheetahs! 

England and Toulon legend Steffon Armitage joins Martyn Hindley on the Champions Rugby Show Podcast, as we celebrate 25 years of the Heineken Champions Cup. Armitage discusses winning the tournament an historic three times in a row, reveals where he hides his medals and explains why he loves Jonny Wilkinson! 

Saracens became the most successful English side in European Cup history with an impressive 20 points to 10 victory over Leinster Rugby in the Heineken Champions Cup final. They won all nine matches on their way to a third European title in four seasons. The former Leinster, Newcastle and Ireland lock Mike McCarthy joins James Burridge and Tom May to analyse the Heineken Champions Cup showpiece at St. James’ Park.  There’s Saracens reaction from skipper Brad Barritt, Mark McCall, Ben Spencer, Liam Williams, Billy Vunipola and the new EPCR European Player of the Year Alex Goode. Plus there’s Leo Cullen, Johnny Sexton and Luke McGrath from the Leinster camp. And you’ll hear from Benjamin Kayser, after ASM Clermont Auvergne beat La Rochelle in Friday’s European Rugby Challenge Cup Final.

RTE commentator Michael Corcoran joins James Burridge and Tom May at St. James’ Park to analyse the Leinster and Saracens team news ahead of the Heineken Champions Cup final. You’ll hear from Leo Cullen, Brad Barritt and Jamie George who all spoke on Friday, plus there’s an interview with Johnny Sexton.

BT Sport commentator Alastair Eykyn joins Martyn Hindley and Maylice Lavorel at St. James’ Park to analyse the team news ahead of the Challenge Cup final and reflect on what ASM Clermont Auvergne and La Rochelle had to say on Thursday in Newcastle.  You’ll hear from Franck Azema, Greig Laidlaw, Wiaan Liebenberg and Jono Gibbes.

Jimmy Gopperth joins James Burridge and Tom May to preview the 2019 Newcastle Finals. The Wasps man’s former side Leinster face Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup final, with the last two winners of the competition going head-to-head at St. James’ Park.  Denis Hickie, Shane Byrne and Will Fraser analyse the two teams and their key players.   Plus, Ryan Lamb joins us to chat about the European Rugby Challenge Cup decider, with his La Rochelle side up against ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Former Ireland and Lions centre Rob Henderson joins James Burridge, Tom May and George Chuter to discuss the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final between Saracens and Munster, the team with which Henderson won this competition. Chuter twice played in the final himself, for Leicester Tigers. Bernard Jackman triumphed with Leinster in 2009 and he talks about the other semi, between his old side and Toulouse. Florent Rossigneux and surprise guest Philippe Saint-André assess the French side’s chances. We also consider the last four in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, with La Rochelle hosting Sale Sharks and ASM Clermont Auvergne taking on Harlequins.

James Burridge and Tom May are joined by the former Racing 92 flanker Florent Rossigneux to preview four huge Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals. Isa Nacewa, the man who lifted the trophy last season in Bilbao, chats about Leinster’s clash with fellow Irish province Ulster and tells us how the holders prepare for major European matches.  The former Munster scrum-half Michael Bradley, who used to coach Edinburgh, looks ahead to the encounter between those two teams. Scotland prop Gordon Reid talks about Glasgow Warriors’ trip to take on a Saracens side that won six from six in the Pool Stage. We also hear from Sarries’ Director of Rugby Mark McCall and EPCR European Player of the Year nominee Alex Goode.  Maxime Medard and Jean Bouilhou speak about the all-French affair in Paris, where Racing 92 host Toulouse. Plus, we look ahead to the Last 8 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup as well.

James Burridge, Tom May and Sean Holley discuss a pivotal weekend in the Heineken Champions Cup, which saw Saracens become the first team to book their place in the Quarter Finals. But Racing 92 and Toulouse lost their 100% records at the hands of Ulster and Leinster respectively. Former France captain Raphaël Ibañez and ex-Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat help preview Round 6’s decisive matches, with Munster v Exeter, Saracens v Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh v Montpellier the pick of the fixtures.

Toulouse, Racing 92 and Saracens are undefeated in the Heineken Champions Cup, but will they keep the winning habit in 2019? Former Edinburgh, Gloucester, Newcastle & Scotland scrum half Rory Lawson, joins James Burridge and Tom May to preview Round 5’s hotly anticipated clashes. Holders Leinster take on pool rivals Toulouse in Dublin. Their former hooker Shane Byrne chats about that huge encounter. And the ex-Ulster lock Dan Tuohy gives us the view from France on his old side’s big match against Racing. Chris Masoe talks about playing with Finn Russell and we also hear from Gloucester boss Johan Ackermann, ahead of their game against Munster.

Toulouse, Racing 92 and Saracens have three wins from three in this season’s competition. Will those 100% records survive into the New Year? Former Racing and Wasps flanker Florent Rossigneux joins James Burridge and Tom May to analyse Round 3’s big performances and preview the crucial matches ahead in Round 4 of the Heineken Champions Cup. Rory Lawson’s old clubs Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors both recorded important victories last weekend and the former Scotland fly-half chats about their progress. Plus, former Ireland lock Mike McCarthy discusses the holders Leinster Rugby’s back-to-back clashes with Bath, as well as Munster’s games against Top 14 champions Castres Olympique. The Champions Rugby Show is the new name for the EPCR European Rugby Show.