Clubs Chasing Crucial Knock-Out Spots

The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup return to action as Round 3 of the competitions gets underway on Friday 10 January.

Featuring three leagues, eight countries and 42 clubs, Round 3 will see another 12 Investec Champions Cup clashes and nine EPCR Challenge Cup matches across the weekend as clubs compete for coveted knock-out places and progression on the road to the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals on 23 and 24 May 2025 at Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium.

Every Pool remains finely balanced, with the top-of-the-table places that secure progression to the knock-out stages very much still up-for-grabs and must-win fixtures promising world-class action.

Getting the action underway on Friday night, Glasgow Warriors, currently second in Pool 4, host fifth-placed Racing 92 in the Investec Champions Cup while Gloucester Rugby host Scarlets in a tight Pool 3 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

In the Investec Champions Cup, Pool 1’s Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux-Bègles, plus Pool 3’s Northampton Saints all have the maximum of 10 points, with only points difference separating Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux-Bègles. Stade Rochelais and Leinster Rugby sit on nine points in Pool 2, while just three points separate first to fourth places in Pool 4.

Meanwhile, in the EPCR Challenge Cup, Connacht Rugby in Pool 1 have a maximum 10 points, closely followed by Lyon Olympique Universitaire. Montpellier Hérault Rugby top Pool 2 on nine points, with just points difference separating third to fifth places. Pool 3 is finely balanced with one win and one loss apiece for every club. The top three clubs sit on six points, while the bottom three clubs have four.

Investec Champions Cup – Pool-by-Pool as it stands

Pool 1

Reigning champions Stade Toulousain and TOP14 leaders Union Bordeaux-Bègles are comfortably atop Pool 1 with two wins from two and a maximum of ten points. Stade Toulousain currently clinch the number one spot in Pool 1 thanks to their points difference of +83.

Stade Toulousain will be facing 2024 EPCR Challenge Cup winners and Springbok-stacked Hollywoodbets Sharks in Round 3, a mouthwatering contest that will see the cream of the crop from France travel to Durban for a true showcase of Test rugby in club colours, surely one of the fixtures to follow in Round 3. The Hollywoodbets Sharks will be looking to add another win to their victory over Exeter Chiefs and consolidate their top four place in the table to qualify for the knock-out stages.

Third-placed Leicester Tigers host Ulster Rugby, while Exeter Chiefs – who tie Ulster at the bottom of Pool 1 – face another tough proposition as UBB travel to southwest England.

Pool 2

The highly-anticipated rematch between Stade Rochelais and Leinster Rugby sees the top two clubs from Pool 2 face off.

Stade Rochelais centre UJ Seuteni says the chance to play against the Irish side is one he relishes due to the talent they have on offer:

“It’s good to play against the best. Last year they came out fighting with revenge after the last two seasons but this year we’ve got them at home so hopefully we can get the win.”

Leinster’s legendary number 8 Caelan Doris has fond memories of the contest, including last season’s Investec Champions Cup home victory:

“Beating La Rochelle at home last year was pretty special given the rivalry we’ve had with them the last number of years… It gave us quite a bit of belief, it got the monkey off the back for a bit given they’ve come out on top over the last number of years, so it pushed us forward.”

ASM Clermont head to Bath Rugby, with the Premiership table-toppers looking to get their campaign on track after back-to-back losses to Stade Rochelais and Benetton Rugby.

Meanwhile, Benetton travel to bottom-placed Bristol Bears to see if they can make it a West Country double – with Bristol needing to rediscover their form if they are to progress in the Investec Champions Cup.

Leinster Rugby’s Caelan Doris is tackled by Peceli Yato and Etienne Fourcade of ASM Clermont in Round 2

Pool 3

Northampton Saints and Saracens sit first and second in Pool 3, with both teams travelling for Round 3 – Northampton to sixth-placed Stade Français Paris, who are still seeking their first Investec Champions Cup win, and Saracens to third-placed Munster Rugby.

Castres Olympique host the Vodacom Bulls, with the French outfit looking to secure back-to-back wins after a strong showing against Munster in Round 2 and the Bulls looking for a first Investec Champions Cup win of the 2024/25 season.

Pool 4

Glasgow Warriors host Racing 92 to kick off the Investec Champions Cup action on Friday night, with both teams on a win and a loss apiece but Glasgow sit in second in Pool 4 thanks to bonus points.

RC Toulon’s quest for a coveted fourth star has got off to an impressive start with two wins from two, and they will host third-placed Harlequins in Round 3.

Meanwhile, fourth-placed Sale Sharks head to Cape Town to face the DHL Stormers and will be looking to reverse the result of the same fixture last season – as the Stormers search for a first win.

EPCR Challenge Cup – Pool-by-Pool as it stands

Pool 1

Connacht Rugby have a full complement of 10 points as they kick-off Round 3 hosting second-placed Lyon Olympique Universitaire after also winning back-to-back matches. The winner will be in the strongest possible position for qualification for the knock-outs going in to the final Pool weekend.

Third-placed Cardiff Rugby head to USAP, with the French outfit needing a first win to put themselves in contention for the Round of 16. Meanwhile, bottom-of-the-table Zebre Parma head to Amsterdam’s NRCA Stadium to face invitational club the Toyota Cheetahs, with the Cheetahs also looking to secure a first win and leapfrog USAP.

Pool 2

Just four points separate first to fifth places, with Montpellier Hérault Rugby leading the table on nine, Section Paloise on six and three clubs – Dragons RFC, Emirates Lions and Ospreys – all on five.

Montpellier host Emirates Lions and Section Paloise head to Dragons RFC. Fifth-placed Ospreys host Newcastle Falcons, with the Premiership club seeking a first EPCR Challenge Cup win.

Pool 3

EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 3 is set up beautifully for the final two Pool stages, with three clubs on six points and three on four. Every club has one win and one loss apiece, with only bonus points and points difference separating the clubs.

Fifth-placed Gloucester Rugby kick off Round 3 as they host third-placed Scarlets RFC on Friday night, while top-of-the-table Edinburgh Rugby cross the Channel to play second-placed RC Vannes in Brittany in what promises to be a hotly-contested fixture. Aviron Bayonnais, currently bottom with the lowest points difference, travel to Tbilisi and invitational club Black Lion.