Pool matches will be staged at the French Rugby Federation's National Rugby Centre at Marcoussis outside Paris, with the semi-finals and final at the newly-refurbished home of Stade Francais, the Stade Jean Bouin.
Because he is ultimately what he is first and foremost, an outstanding rugby player, a giant of his No 8 position, a colossus of the Six Nations, who today leads Italy against France at the stadium he sometimes calls home, le Stade de France where le Stade Français occasionally play.
Catalan have since moved back to their usual home, the Stade Gilbert Brutus, which is also in Perpignan.
There is still some hope as the Impact is down 0-2 in the first leg and still has a chance at home at Stade Saputo on May 1st.
Over 2,000 fans crossed the river to Toulouse Olympique's temporary home of Stade Ernest Argelès (their Minimes ground is being redeveloped) to see a side that has been together for years.
Most of the Ligue 1 programme is scheduled for Saturday, including Bastia hosting Olympique de Marseille, while last season's runners-up, AS Monaco, welcome FC Lorient on Sunday and Olympique Lyonnais are at home to Stade Rennes.
The Montreal Impact, in fact, tend to play the first month of the season in an indoor stadium, before moving to their home at Stade Saputo when the weather improves.
On Sunday the Jean-Bouin stadium, home of Stade Français, will host a sell-out crowd for a tournament that has captured the attention of the French public – with viewing figures on French terrestrial TV peaking at 2million during the pool stages alone.
The first leg, at Lyon's home ground Stade de Gerland, ended in a 4 3 defeat for Brugge.
Liverpool won the first leg in England 3 1 and a 2 1 victory at Liège's home ground Stade Maurice Dufrasne ensured a 5 2 aggregate victory.
