The wait is nearly over for fans of international club rugby across Europe and South Africa, with just one month to go until the return of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. The journey to the 2026 Finals in Bilbao begins on Friday 5 December, as the clubs kick off what promises to be another unforgettable season of elite international rugby.
The Investec Champions Cup opens under Friday night lights with two blockbuster fixtures: Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors at CorpAcq Stadium and Aviron Bayonnais v DHL Stormers at Stade Jean Dauger. In the EPCR Challenge Cup, Ulster Rugby will host Racing 92 at Affidea Stadium, as the sides look to make an early statement in the competition.
Test rugby in club colours
With the Quilter Nations Series underway, international form showcases the playmaking, passion and skill we can expect when club rugby returns. Many of the stars who shine for their countries throughout November will soon be back in club colours, ready to chase European glory.
Steve Borthwick’s England claimed an eighth consecutive Test win at the weekend against Australia, featuring players from Investec Champions Cup sides Sale Sharks, Bath Rugby, Saracens, Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers, Bristol Bears and Harlequins, alongside EPCR Challenge Cup contenders Exeter Chiefs.
Northampton Saints’ Henry Pollock proved key, making a memorable impact from the bench. Looking ahead to the Investec Champions Cup, the standout rising star from the 2024/25 club and international season said:
“Last year we had an amazing run up to the Final and then didn’t quite get over the line. But I’m proud of how we showed fight in the game and credit to Bordeaux they were a class outfit in that final and hopefully this year we can use it as fuel.”
Scotland Make their mark
Scotland kicked off their international fixtures in emphatic fashion, storming to a record-breaking 85–0 victory over the USA Eagles at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium. Points-scorers included Edinburgh Rugby’s Dylan Richardson, Duhan van der Merwe, and Darcy Graham who ran in a hattrick of tries, while Glasgow Warriors’ Jamie Dobie – who also took a hattrick – Kyle Rowe, Stafford McDowall, George Horne, Ollie Smith, and Adam Hastings also got their names on the scoreboard.
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) summed up the draw of the Investec Champions Cup.
“Everyone wants to play in the Investec Champions Cup. If you want to be the best team, if you want to be one of the best players, then you have to challenge yourself against the best.”
Strong French representation, Wales ready to return and Ireland look to improve
Meanwhile, France will field a team including strong representation from current TOP 14 leaders and six-time Investec Champions Cup winners Stade Toulousain, as well as numerous key players from reigning Investec Champions Cup title holders Union Bordeaux Bègles. Damian Penaud – last season’s Investec Player of the Year, who was awarded the title after a record-breaking season where he scored 14 tries, including two in the final victory over Northampton Saints, will be back for France alongside his club captain Maxime Lucu, who reflected on last season’s triumph:
“It was a moment of huge pride and happiness as it was the first title for the club. It’s a competition that is a now fully part of the culture of French clubs but also French fans.”
Wales also open their Autumn internationals next weekend, with Bristol Bears lightning-fast winger Louis Rees-Zammit getting the call up after returning from the NFL. Welsh Captain and Ospreys’ back row Jac Morgan is also back after the summer tour with the British and Irish Lions.
Ireland fell 26–13 to the All Blacks in their opening Autumn fixture, but Andy Farrell’s side can rely on strong depth from Leinster Rugby, Munster Rugby, and Ulster Rugby as they prepare to face Japan and gain valuable minutes before the EPCR season begins.
Powerhouse performances from the South
The Springboks also impressed as they opened their Autumn tour with a commanding 61–7 win over Japan at Wembley, featuring points from DHL Stormers’ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Wilco Louw, Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Siya Kolisi and Andre Esterhuizen, and Vodacom Bulls’ Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Trevor Nyakane (Hollywoodbets Sharks) captured the intensity of the Investec Champions Cup.
“It’s almost like you’re playing Test rugby week in week out. You get the best of the best in one competition.”
The Road to Bilbao 2026 Finals begins
The countdown is now officially on. The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup return on Friday, 5 December, marking the first steps on the road to the Bilbao 2026 Finals, 22-23 May – and with over 50% of tickets sold for the summer blockbuster weekend, fans are urged to act now and secure their place before it’s too late.
With the world’s top clubs and players set to collide, anticipation is building. Leinster Rugby’s Joe McCarthy summed it up:
“The history of (the Investec Champions Cup) is why fans are so passionate about it and people are so eager to win. I think that’s what makes it special.”
SWAT Honey
Cricket became an Olympic sport in 1896. However, no matches were held because there was an insufficient number of teams who attended. Had the sport been played that year, cricket would have earned the distinction of being the only team sport to be played at the time. The first Olympic match in the next Olympics (1900) was participated in by the men’s teams. Great Britain (represented by the Devon and Somerset Wanderers) won gold.
Street Squirrel
The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan marked the first time the tournament was held in Asia, reflecting the sport’s growing global appeal. The competition featured 20 teams, with South Africa emerging as the champions after defeating England in the final. The next Rugby World Cup is scheduled for 2023 in France.