European Rugby announce fixture dates for 2016/17

European Rugby have announced the dates for next year’s European club fixtures, concluding with the Champions Cup final on Saturday May 13th.

The winner of Europe’s flagship cup competition will be decided at Murrayfield, with the Edinburgh ground also hosting the Challenge Cup final on Friday May 12th.

Both tournaments will get underway in October with the pool stages concluding at the end of January, before the knockouts begin at the end of March.

There are seven places in the Champions Cup for Pro 12 clubs - including the top Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Italian sides - and also an extra place for the winners of the Challenge Cup.

This could mean if Connacht win the Challenge Cup and Munster miss out on Champions Cup qualification, Anthony Foley’s men could be redeemed, with Connacht likely to already be qualified for the tournament.

European Rugby weekend: 2016/17 season

Round 1: October 13th/14th/15th/16th

Round 2: October 19th/20th/21st/22th

Round 3: December 8th/9th/10th/11th

Round 4: December 15th/16th/17th/18th

Round 5: January 12th/13th/14th/15th

Round 6: January 19th/20th/21st/22th

Quarter-finals: March 30st/31st / April 1st/2nd 2017

Semi-finals: April 21st/22nd/23rd 2017

Finals: Edinburgh 2017

European Rugby Challenge Cup final: Friday May 12th, BT Murrayfield Stadium

European Rugby Champions Cup final: Saturday May 13th, BT Murrayfield