EPCR Champions Cup Draw: Pools Confirmed For Bulls, Stormers, Sharks, And Lions
The stage is set for another blockbuster Investec Champions Cup campaign after the pool draw produced four mouth-watering groups featuring reigning champions, historic rivals and European heavyweights.
Tier 1 clubs – defending champions Union Bordeaux Bègles, TOP 14 winners Stade Toulousain, Gallagher Premiership champions Northampton Saints and United Rugby Championship winners Leinster Rugby – were each drawn into separate pools, setting the stage for a thrilling race to the knockout rounds.
Four-time champions and last season’s runners-up, Leinster Rugby, were the first club drawn and headline a fiercely competitive Pool 1. They will renew rivalries with Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers, while also facing Section Paloise, ASM Clermont Auvergne and fellow URC powerhouse Glasgow Warriors.
Record six-time champions Stade Toulousain lead the way in Pool 2, where they are joined by competition newcomers the Lions, three-time champions Saracens, two-time winners Stade Rochelais, 2020 champions Exeter Chiefs and Connacht Rugby, who return to Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since the 2023/24 season.
Fresh from lifting their second Investec Champions Cup title, defending champions Union Bordeaux Bègles top Pool 3. They are joined by the DHL Stormers, Racing 92, Munster Rugby, Bristol Bears and Gloucester Rugby in another highly competitive group.
Pool 4 promises no shortage of drama, with Northampton Saints leading the way alongside fellow Gallagher Premiership side Bath Rugby, last season’s semi-finalists. Cardiff Rugby, reigning EPCR Challenge Cup champions Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Stade Français Paris and the Vodacom Bulls complete a pool packed with quality and genuine knockout-stage ambitions.
Investec Champions Cup
Pool 1
- Leinster Rugby
- Glasgow Warriors
- Section Paloise
- Sale Sharks
- Leicester Tigers
- ASM Clermont Auvergne
Pool 2
- Stade Toulousain
- Lions
- Saracens
- Stade Rochelais
- Exeter Chiefs
- Connacht Rugby
Pool 3
- Union Bordeaux Bègles
- DHL Stormers
- Racing 92
- Munster Rugby
- Bristol Bears
- Gloucester Rugby
Pool 4
- Northampton Saints
- Bath Rugby
- Cardiff Rugby
- Montpellier Hérault Rugby
- Stade Français Paris
- Vodacom Bulls
The EPCR Challenge Cup draw also produced three fascinating pools, with several heavyweight clashes and intriguing storylines to look forward to.
Invited South African side the Toyota Cheetahs were the first club drawn and were placed in Pool 1 alongside 2026 runners-up Ulster Rugby, USAP, last season’s semi-finalists Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais and Zebre Parma.
Pool 2 is equally competitive, with Benetton Rugby set to renew their rivalry with 2022 champions Lyon Olympique Universitaire (LOU Rugby) after the two sides also met in last season’s pool stage. They are joined by Newcastle Red Bulls, 2024 champions the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Castres Olympique and the Scarlets to complete another evenly balanced group.
Ospreys headline Pool 3 after being the first team drawn, alongside Edinburgh Rugby, Black Lion, three-time Challenge Cup winners Harlequins – the competition’s joint-most successful club – 2023 champions RC Toulon and RC Vannes, who return to the tournament after making their debut in the 2024/25 season.
With European pedigree, returning contenders and emerging challengers all in the mix, Pool 3 promises to deliver some of the competition’s standout fixtures.
With the pools now confirmed, fixture schedules for both tournaments – including dates, venues, kick-off times and television coverage – will be announced later this month.
The fixtures will be determined using an algorithm that takes into account the outcomes of the pool draw, individual club calendars, venue availability, broadcast requirements and domestic league scheduling to produce the optimum fixture schedule.
EPCR Challenge Cup
Pool 1
- Toyota Cheetahs
- Ulster Rugby
- USAP
- Dragons RFC
- Aviron Bayonnais
- Zebre Parma
Pool 2
- Benetton Rugby
- Lyon Olympique Universitaire (LOU Rugby)
- Newcastle Red Bulls
- Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Castres Olympique
- Scarlets
Pool 3
- Ospreys
- Edinburgh Rugby
- Black Lion
- Harlequins
- RC Toulon
- RC Vannes
