As always, every single minute of action will be shown live on BT Sport and beIN SPORTS, starting with Friday night’s contest between two Irish provincial rivals.

Connacht Rugby host Leinster Rugby at The Sportsground in a 20:00 (UK and Irish time) kick-off as Leinster target a fifth European title.

Five games follow on Saturday, starting with an all-Gallagher Premiership tie between Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears – the game is free-to-air in the UK on Channel 4 and is also available on Virgin Media - and Union Bordeaux-Bègles versus Stade Rochelais at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in an all-TOP 14 contest. Both kick off at 13:00 UK and Irish time.

Heineken Champions Cup holders Stade Toulousain get their Round of 16 tie with Ulster Rugby underway at 15:15 UK and Irish time as the two European rivals meet for a 12th time on the grandest stage.

At 17:30 Exeter Chiefs host Munster Rugby at Sandy Park in a battle of former champions – Exeter the 2020 winners, Munster two-time victors with wins in 2006 and 2008.

Also at 17:30 UK and Irish time, Stade Français Paris and Racing 92 collide once more, at the Stade Jean Bouin - a week after the sides met in the TOP 14. Racing topped Pool A with four wins from four and will be eager to maintain their form into the knockout stage.

Two games follow on Sunday, when Montpellier Hérault Rugby and ASM Clermont Auvergne host Gallagher Premiership opposition in the form of Harlequins and Leicester Tigers respectively.

Montpellier host Harlequins at 13:00 UK and Irish time at the GGL Stadium as the Gallagher Premiership champions continue their bid for a maiden Heineken Champions Cup.

Leicester, who topped Pool B, travel to the Stade Marcel-Michelin to take on Clermont in a 15:15 kick-off (UK and Irish time) in the final game of this weekend’s slate.

The 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup’s knockout stage gets underway this weekend with the opening ties of the two-legged Round of 16, and there is a plethora of enticing matchups on the schedule.