Champions Cup Fixtures Announced
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The Investec Champions Cup campaign begins on Friday night for the 24 clubs — which includes 10 former champions who share a total of 25 Champions Cup titles. Two exciting matchups will launch the season: Sale Sharks will face Glasgow Warriors at Salford Community Stadium at 20:00 (local time), while Aviron Bayonnais will take on the DHL Stormers at Stade Jean-Dauger, kicking off at 21:00 (local time).
The following day, reigning Investec Champions Cup holders Union Bordeaux Bègles will begin their title defence with a tough away fixture in South Africa against the Vodacom Bulls, kicking off at Loftus Versfeld at 17.15 (local time).
Their campaign continues with home games against Scarlets and a hotly anticipated rematch of last season’s Final against Northampton Saints in Round 3 at Stade Chaban-Delmas. Their last match in the pool stage will be against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
Also on 6 December, Bath Rugby, fresh from a historic treble, begin their Investec Champions Cup campaign by hosting Munster Rugby at The Rec (20.00 local time kick off). A major test awaits in Round 2 as they travel to face three-time champions RC Toulon at Stade Félix Mayol. Toulon’s Round 3 clash will be another classic as they then take on Munster at home.
Six-time champions Stade Toulousain, winners of the TOP 14, will host South Africa’s Hollywoodbets Sharks at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday 7 December, kicking off at 16.15 (local time), in a blockbuster Round 1 clash likely to feature a host of international stars.
Toulouse’s pool stage campaign also includes fixtures against Glasgow Warriors, Saracens, and Sale Sharks. Leinster Rugby, three-time runners-up and in pursuit of a fifth title, kick off their campaign at home against Harlequins on 6 December, 17.30 (local time). The English side will be eager for redemption after last season’s Round of 16 defeat, where they failed to register a single point against the Irish giants.
Leinster will then travel to Leicester Tigers, before reigniting their rivalry with Stade Rochelais back in Dublin. Their final pool stage match will see them face Aviron Bayonnais at Stade Jean-Dauger in a competitive pool stage.
Section Paloise mark their return to the top-tier competition for the first time in 25 years with a home fixture against last season’s runners-up Northampton Saints on 7 December, 14.00 kick off (local time).
