Connacht guaranteed home Challenge Cup semi if they beat Grenoble

European Rugby have announced the venues for next month’s Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals.

The Madjeski Stadium in Reading, the Allianz Riviera in Nice, the MMArena in Le Mans and Nottingham Forest’s City Ground are the four grounds selected for the Champions Cup semis.

Meanwhile thanks to the Challenge Cup's new semi-final format Connacht will be guaranteed a home fixture if they win their last-eight tie.

Pat Lam’s men travel to play Grenoble on April 9th and if victorious will entertain either Harlequins or London Irish at the Sportsground, with the competition rewarding pool stage results as well as favouring the sides who win away from home in the quarter-finals.

The same format also applies in the Champions Cup, with the final held at the Grand Stade de Lyon on Saturday May 14th. The Challenge Cup final will be held at the same ground the day before.

Champions Cup semi-finals (Kick-off times to be announced):

Saturday, April 23rd:

SF1: if Saracens v Wasps - Madejski Stadium

if Northampton Saints v Wasps - Madejski Stadium

if Exeter Chiefs v Saracens - Madejski Stadium

if Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints - Madejski Stadium

Sunday, April 24th:

SF2: if Leicester Tigers v Racing 92 - City Ground

if Stade Français Paris v Racing 92 - MMArena, Le Mans

if RC Toulon v Leicester Tigers - Allianz Riviera, Nice

if RC Toulon v Stade Français Paris - Allianz Riviera, Nice

2016 Champions Cup final: Saturday, May 14th; Grand Stade de Lyon (15.45)

Challenge Cup semi-finals - April 22nd/23rd/24th April (Exact dates and kick-off times to be announced):

SF1: if Harlequins v Grenoble - Twickenham Stoop

if Connacht Rugby v Harlequins - The Sportsground

if Connacht Rugby v London Irish - The Sportsground

if London Irish v Grenoble - Madejski Stadium

SF2: if Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks - Kingsholm

if Newport Gwent Dragons v Sale Sharks - Rodney Parade

if Montpellier v Gloucester Rugby - Altrad Stadium

if Montpellier v Newport Gwent Dragons - Altrad Stadium

2016 Challenge Cup final: Friday, 13 May; Grand Stade de Lyon (20.00)