Two of the quarter-final fixtures in the Heineken Champions Cup are first-time encounters as Stade Rochelais host Montpellier Hérault Rugby and Racing 92 entertain Sale Sharks.

In an intriguing contest, La Rochelle, last season’s finalists, welcome last season’s Challenge Cup winners, two teams who have played a combined total of 82 European Cup games.

The TOP 14 duo clash regularly in domestic games of course, but when they vie for a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final spot at Stade Marcel Deflandre on May 7, they will be meeting for the first time in continental rugby.

Another fascinating match-up sees three-time finalists Racing play host to two-time Challenge Cup victors Sale.

Racing have played 81 European Cup games in their history, while Sale have racked up 71, but they will come up against one another for the first time in European competition at Paris La Defense Arena on May 8.

Meanwhile, the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals see two-time winners Gloucester Rugby and three-time European champions Saracens face off for the first time in a European tournament at Kingsholm on May 6.

Sarries are obviously regular visitors to Gloucester’s ground in the Gallagher Premiership, but this will be their maiden European contest there.

Elsewhere in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals, Lyon entertain Glasgow Warriors in yet another first-time encounter.

Although the sides met in the Heineken Champions Cup pool stage in 2018, when Glasgow triumphed in both fixtures, they have never gone toe-to-toe in the Challenge Cup, making their clash at Matmut Stadium de Gerland on May 7 all the more interesting.

This season’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals and EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals will see several teams go head-to-head for the first time on the European stage.