THE DATES AND times have been released for the key Champions Cup round five and six games but unfortunately from an Irish perspective, Munster and Leinster have been relegated to the early slot on consecutive Saturdays.

Munster’s must-win game away to Saracens is pencilled in for 13.00 on Saturday 17 January while Leinster visit Coventry to face Wasps at the same time one week later.

Obviously European rugby doesn’t revolve around the fate of the Irish provinces but given that Munster and Leinster’s groups are two of the only pools that are still interesting, it is surprising that their games weren’t given the prominent 17.30 slot or the even more lucrative prime time 19.45 window.

Here are the Champions Cup round 5 and 6 fixtures in full:

Round 5

Leicester vs Scarlets – Friday 16 January at 19.45

Saracens vs Munster – Saturday 17 January at 13.00

Toulon vs Ulster – Saturday 17 January at 15.15

Sale vs Clermont – Saturday 17 January at 17.30

Leinster vs Castres – Saturday 17 January at 17.30

Harlequins vs Wasps – Saturday 17 January at 19.45

Glasgow vs Montpellier – Sunday 18 January at 13.00

Toulouse vs Bath – Sunday 18 January at 15.15

Ospreys vs Northampton – Sunday 18 January at 17.30

Racing Metro vs Treviso – Sunday 18 January at 17.30

Round 6 

Wasps vs Leinster – Saturday 24 January at 13.00

Castres vs Harlequins – Saturday 24 January at 13.00

Northampton vs Racing Metro – Saturday 24 January at 15.15

Treviso vs Ospreys – Saturday 24 January at 15.15

Scarlets vs Toulon – Saturday 24 January at 17.30

Ulster vs Leicester – Saturday 24 January at 17.30

Bath vs Glasgow – Sunday 25 January at 13.00

Montpellier vs Toulouse – Sunday 25 January at 13.00

Munster vs Sale – Sunday 25 January at 15.15

Clermont vs Saracens – Sunday 25 January at 15.15

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