A busy weekend of Rugby action with three Irish provinces in European action.
European Rugby Champions Cup Fixtures
Friday, October 16
- Gloucester v Union Bordeaux Begles, 20:00 Premier Sports 1
Saturday, October 17
- Bulls v Stade Français, 13:00 Premier Sports 2
- Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors, 13:00 Premier Sports 1
- ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster, 15:15 Premier Sports 2
- Stormers v Bristol Bears, 15:15 Premier Sports 1
- Connacht v Saracens, 17:30, Premier Sports 1
- La Rochelle v Lions, 17:30 Premier Sports TBC
- Munster v Racing 92, 20:00 Premier Sports 1
- Bath v Montpellier, 20:00 Premier Sports 2
Sunday, October 18
- Pau v Leicester Tigers, 13:00 Premier Sports 1
- Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs, 15:15 Premier Sports 1
- Northampton Saints v Cardiff Rugby, 17:30 Premier Sports 2
European Champions Cup Tips
- Bordeaux –9 (10/11)
- Bulls -25 (10/11)
- Glasgow (4/9)
- Clermont +9 (10/11)
- Stormers v Bristol Bears – Total Points over
- Connacht v Saracens – Jack Bracken anytime try
- La Rochelle -14 (10/11)
- Munster (2/9)
- Bath -9 (10/11)
- Pau (1/4)
- Toulouse – 32 (10/11)
- Northampton -23 (10/11)
Gloucester v Union Bordeaux Begles – Friday, October 16, 20:00
Gloucester against Bordeaux-Bègles is the kind of European fixture that promises a fascinating contrast in styles: Gloucester’s physicality, intensity and ability to turn a match into a battle against the attacking quality and ambition of the French side.
For Gloucester, the challenge is to make Kingsholm a difficult place to visit, build pressure through their forward pack and take their chances when they come. Bordeaux, meanwhile, will look to impose themselves with quick ball, sharp handling and the individual brilliance to punish even the smallest defensive lapse.
Bordeaux arrive with the considerable confidence of European champions, having won back-to-back Champions Cup titles. If they find front-foot ball and space out wide, their attacking quality could prove decisive.
Bordeaux’s attacking quality may ultimately prove the difference, but Gloucester should have enough at home to make them work hard for the victory.
Selection: Union Bordeaux Begles -9 (10/11)
Bulls v Stade Francais – Saturday, October 17, 13:00
The Bulls welcome Stade Français to Pretoria for a European showdown that promises a compelling clash between South African power and French flair.
The Bulls enter the competition after reaching the United Rugby Championship final last season, and they will be determined to translate that domestic strength into a serious European campaign.
The Parisian outfit travel to South Africa knowing that a positive result would provide a major boost to their European ambitions. Their opening fixture is one of the toughest possible tests, with the altitude and physical demands of Pretoria adding another layer of difficulty.
I expect the Bulls to make a winning start to their Champions Cup campaign, with home advantage and their physicality proving decisive in the second half.
Selection: Bulls -25 (10/11)
Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors – Saturday, October 17, 13:00
Sale will be eager to make home advantage count, while Glasgow arrive looking to carry their recent domestic momentum onto the European stage.
Sale head into the European opener looking to turn their home victory over Harlequins into a springboard for a more consistent campaign. Their 28–24 win was secured by a late penalty try following a powerful rolling maul.
Glasgow travel to Salford with confidence after a convincing victory over Connacht, in which their forward pack proved particularly effective at the maul. They scored four tries from that platform, underlining just how dangerous they can be when their set piece is functioning well.
I expect a tight, physical contest that could go either way, but Glasgow’s current momentum and their ability to turn forward dominance into tries might just give them the edge in a narrow away win. Both sides have an effective maul as we’ve seen over the last couple of games. Should be a battle, but Glasgow to come through it in the end.
Selection: Glasgow (4/9)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster – Saturday, October 17, 15:15
Leinster begin their latest quest for European glory with one of the toughest assignments in club rugby: an away trip to Clermont Auvergne. Clermont have had considerably more competitive rugby under their belts, while Leinster are still working to build cohesion after an interrupted start to the campaign.
Clermont may not possess the same European dominance they enjoyed during their peak years, but if they can disrupt Leinster’s rhythm early, they have the potential to make this a very uncomfortable afternoon for the visitors.
The fact that Leinster came off the back of two URC defeats before a home win last weekend shows the inconsistency that is there. They started off with pace against Cardiff, but it finished with a whimper. A few mistakes were made, and they will need to be at their best here.
A tricky game to call; I can see Leinster winning, but Clermont may well stick within the margin.
Selection: ASM Clermont Auvergne +9 (10/11)
Stormers v Bristol Bears – Saturday, October 17, 15:15
The Stormers welcome Bristol Bears to Cape Town for a fascinating European clash between South African power and English attacking ambition.
The key for the hosts will be their forward pack. If they can dominate the collisions, generate quick ball and establish a strong platform at the set piece, they can put Bristol under sustained pressure. The return of Siya Kolisi has also provided a significant lift ahead of the competition.
Bristol are renowned for their willingness to play expansive rugby, moving the ball through their hands and looking to create space across the pitch. When their attack clicks, they can trouble even the strongest defences.
This should be high-scoring with plenty of running rugby on offer, and you would expect the Stormers to shade it in the end.
Selection: Total Points Over
Connacht v Saracens – Saturday, October 17, 17:30
Connacht launch their return to the Champions Cup with a major test against three-time European champions Saracens. The fixture is a significant occasion for Connacht, who return to Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since the 2023–24 season. Connacht launch their return to the Champions Cup with a major test against three-time European champions Saracens.
Connacht have shown plenty of attacking promise in the early stages of the season, but their recent defeat to Glasgow Warriors exposed an area they urgently need to address: discipline. If they can improve their discipline and compete effectively at the set piece, Connacht have the potential to make this a difficult evening for the visitors.
Saracens travel to Galway with a reputation built on success in this competition. Their experience in high-pressure European matches makes them dangerous opponents, particularly when they can control the tempo and force teams into repeated defensive sets.
Maro Itoje has been influential of late, and young wingers Noah Caluori and Jack Bracken provide attacking threat. Their set-piece power, defensive organisation and European experience could prove decisive if the home side struggle to maintain discipline.
Selection: Jack Bracken anytime try
La Rochelle v Lions – Saturday, October 17, 17:30
The two-time European champions La Rochelle have built a reputation for their formidable forward pack and intimidating home atmosphere, making this a demanding assignment for the Johannesburg-based side.
La Rochelle will be confident of making a strong start on home soil under head coach Ronan O’Gara. The French side’s greatest strength remains their physicality up front.
The Lions arrive in France needing to bounce back from a heavy 57–15 defeat to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship. Prop Sebastian Lombard has been ruled out with an ankle injury, while the availability of other players returning from injury will be important.
The Lions will need to be disciplined and defend much better than they did last weekend. Anything less than that could be a long evening for them in France on Saturday. La Rochelle should dominate the possession stats and main areas of the game and rack up a big score.
Selection: La Rochelle -14 (10/11)
Munster v Racing 92 – Saturday, October 17, 20:00
This will be one of the most poignant games of the opening round as the occasion will honour Anthony Foley, the legendary Munster number eight and former head coach, ten years after his death.
Munster will need to show greater composure after letting a commanding position slip in their recent 26–26 draw with Ulster. The encouraging sign was Munster’s first-half effectiveness from the set piece and driving maul. They scored close-range tries and demonstrated how dangerous they can be when their forwards establish dominance.
Racing arrive in Cork after a mixed start to their Top 14 campaign, but their 55–25 victory over Perpignan demonstrated the attacking threat they possess when everything clicks. The French side will look to move the ball quickly, stretch Munster’s defensive line and exploit any gaps.
This is a huge opening fixture for Munster, both competitively and emotionally. It will be a passionate Cork crowd, and that should push Munster over the line in the end.
Selection: Munster (2/9)
Bath v Montpellier – Saturday, October 17, 20:00
Bath will be keen to make a statement in front of their supporters at The Rec. Under Johann van Graan, they have developed into a side capable of combining a powerful forward game with a dangerous, creative backline. Finn Russell’s vision and variety at fly-half can be particularly influential.
Montpellier arrive with silverware already secured in 2026, having beaten Ulster 59–26 to win their third European Challenge Cup title in May. Billy Vunipola provides considerable physical presence in the pack, while fly-half Domingo Miotti offers a reliable kicking option and the ability to turn territorial pressure into points.
Finn Russell will hold the key to what happens in this game, and if he excels, I think Bath will also. It should be an entertaining contest, and Bath should have too much quality in the end. It could be a battle of the fly-halves, and if it is, Finn Russell should step up and guide Bath to success.
Selection: Bath -9 (10/11)
Pau v Leicester Tigers – Sunday, October 18, 13:00
Leicester Tigers begin their Champions Cup campaign with a challenging trip to the south of France to face Section Paloise, a Pau side capable of making life difficult for any visiting team on home soil.
Pau will view this opening fixture as a major opportunity to announce themselves on the European stage. Playing at the Stade du Hameau, they will look to use the home crowd and familiar conditions to unsettle Leicester from the opening whistle.
Leicester arrive in France off the back of a 38-31 victory over Gloucester, which showed the attacking process that they have available. Leicester’s forward pack will be central to their chances. Their ability to generate front-foot ball, apply pressure through the driving maul and win the territorial battle could prove decisive.
It looks like one of the closer games of the weekend, but the home side could shade a close encounter.
Selection: Pau (1/4)
Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs – Sunday, October 18, 15:15
Exeter Chiefs face one of the biggest tests of their European campaign as they travel to France to take on Toulouse, six-time Champions Cup winners and reigning French champions.
Toulouse enter the competition with the usual lofty expectations. The six-time European champions last lifted the Champions Cup in 2024. If they establish quick ball and dictate the tempo, Exeter could find themselves under sustained pressure for long periods.
Exeter arrive in France after securing their first Premiership victory of the season, a hard-fought 36–27 win over Newcastle Red Bulls. Ross Vintcent scored twice, while Henry Slade and Bachuki Tchumbadze also made important contributions. The potential absence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso following a hamstring concern would be a significant setback.
Toulouse should have most of the possession, and if they can turn that into points, it could be a long afternoon for Exeter. The experience and talent the French side have will be crucial to success here.
Selection: Toulouse – 32 (10/11)
Northampton Saints v Cardiff Rugby – Sunday, October 18, 17:30
Northampton enter the competition as reigning Gallagher Premiership champions, and they will be determined to carry that winning mentality into Europe.
They played at pace of late, and their recent 11-try performance against Bath, featuring a hat-trick from Ollie Sleightholme and two tries from Tommy Freeman, underlined their attacking potential.
Cardiff return to the Champions Cup for the first time since the 2019–20 season, having secured their place through the United Rugby Championship play-offs. Cardiff will need to take chances as they arrive, and if they squander any, there is no doubt that Northampton will punish them.
Northampton could overwhelm Cardiff if everything clicks into place, but Cardiff will have chances of their own. As with most of the games, home advantage looks to be key.
Cardiff have impressed me of late and battled with Leinster, but this is a massive step up for them. Leinster scored early tries, and if they allow Northampton to dominate, then they could be in for a tough afternoon.
Selection: Northampton -23 (10/11)
European Champions Cup Tips
- Bordeaux –9 (10/11)
- Bulls -25 (10/11)
- Glasgow (4/9)
- Clermont +9 (10/11)
- Stormers v Bristol Bears – Total Points over
- Connacht v Saracens – Jack Bracken anytime try
- La Rochelle -14 (10/11)
- Munster (2/9)
- Bath -9 (10/11)
- Pau (1/4)
- Toulouse – 32 (10/11)
- Northampton -23 (10/11)
