Champions Rugby Show

Racing 92 fly-half Finn Russell speaks exclusively to James Burridge ahead of the biggest match of his career. The enigmatic Scotsman talks about facing Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup Final, what it means to be short-listed for the EPCR European Player of the Year award plus he fires a warning to his Scotland team mate Stuart Hogg.

Racing, Wales and Lions legend, Jamie Roberts, joins James Burridge and BT Sport commentator Alastair Eykyn to look ahead to this weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup Final when Racing 92 take on Exeter Chiefs for a chance to be crowned Kings of Europe. There is also a guest appearance from arguably the form fly-half in Europe right now, Racing’s enigmatic number ten, Finn Russell.

Racing 92 and Wales legend Mike Phillips helps James Burridge count down to the Heineken Champions Cup Final. The former scrum-half discusses Parisian flair, emotional coaches and his masterplan for beating Exeter Chiefs!

Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson joins James Burridge to discuss his beloved Chiefs reaching their first ever Heineken Champions Cup final. Steenson talks about the calmness of Rob Baxter, the brilliance of Stuart Hogg and what it would mean to beat Racing 92 and lift the Champions Cup. 

Former Wasps flanker Flo Rossigneux and Sky Sports commentator Miles Harrison, join James Burridge to look ahead to this weekend’s semi-final showdowns after a dramatic weekend of Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final action. Saracens edged out 4 time champions Leinster to set up a trip to Paris to take on Racing 92 in Saturday’s first semi-final. The second semi sees Exeter host Toulouse after both sides’ convincing quarter-final wins over Northampton and Ulster respectively – and we speak to former Chiefs prop, Brett Sturgess, to find out what Exeter need to do to overcome the Cheslin Kolbe inspired French side.

Former ASM Clermont Auvergne scrum-half and Scotland captain, Greig Laidlaw, joins James Burridge and RTE commentator Michael Corcoran to look ahead to this weekend’s mouth-watering Heineken Champions Cup quarter final ties. We analyse defending champions Saracens’ trip to Leinster, the all French affair between Clermont and Racing 92, Toulouse’s clash with Ulster, and former Saints scrum-half, Lee Dickson, discusses Northampton’s chances against an in-form Exeter side. Plus Greig Laidlaw tells us what makes Racing and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell so special.

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the European club rugby calendar, the Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup will have a brand new look for the 2020/21 season. EPCR CEO Vincent Gaillard and Chairman Simon Halliday join the Champions Rugby Show to talk through an exciting 24-club format and its special features.

Ireland legend Ronan O’Gara reflects on a stunning career which saw him win the Heineken Cup twice with Munster. One of the greatest fly-half’s in history, O’Gara discusses miracle matches, missed kicks and inspirational team-mates - plus he reveals how life in La Rochelle is treating him.

Arguably one of the game’s finest flankers, Neil Back joins James Burridge to take us through his glittering Leicester Tigers career which saw him play in three Heineken Champions Cup Finals – winning two of them. The former England forward also discusses that World Cup win in 2003, the art of leadership and how to tackle Jonah Lomu!

Sir Ian McGeechan reflects on his remarkable coaching career with James Burridge. “Geech” discusses European glory with Wasps, getting the best out of Danny Cipriani, and keeping big egos in check!