Stormers hooker JJ Kotze received a three-week suspension after an independent committee upholds his red card against Bristol Bears.

The opening round of the Champions Cup produced just one English victory from eight matches, so as the Prem returns for 'Derby Weekend', Mark Ashcroft asks whether the European struggles reveal a deeper problem.

From Montpellier's storming victory at Bath to Bordeaux's Kingsholm thriller, the opening weekend of the Champions Cup gave Mark Ashcroft plenty of evidence to revisit one of European rugby's oldest debates

Montpellier opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign with an impressive 32-14 victory over Bath at The Rec.

DHL Stormers opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a convincing 49-12 victory over Bristol Bears at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Connacht opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a thrilling 45-36 victory over Saracens at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

Gloucester held defending champions Bordeaux Bègles to a thrilling 36-36 draw at Kingsholm as Will Trenholm scored twice.

As the Champions Cup returns, Mark Ashcroft considers the changing fortunes of French rugby on the road, the Willis brothers, Pau’s remarkable start to the season and the growing Iberian influence in the Top 14.

After reaching last season’s Challenge Cup semi-finals, what positives can Dragons take into this year's European campaign following the opening rounds of the URC? Plus, Iestyn Rhys-Thomas reflects on a good week for Ospreys and Scarlets.

EPCR confirms 2026/27 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup pool fixtures, with the Road to Lyon starting in October.

EPCR has confirmed 2026/27 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup pool draws, with fixtures starting October 16 and finals set for Lyon.

Union Bordeaux Bègles retained the Investec Champions Cup with a ruthless 41-19 win over Leinster at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao.

Leinster have kept the same starting side that beat Toulon for the Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Begles in Bilbao.

Leinster reached the Investec Champions Cup final after holding off a fierce Toulon comeback to win 29-25 at the Aviva Stadium

The final five nominees for the 2026 Investec Player of the Year award have been confirmed, recognising the standout performers from this season's Champions Cup.

Leinster booked a home Investec Champions Cup semi-final against RC Toulon after pulling away to a convincing 43-13 win over Sale Sharks in Dublin.

Bath Rugby produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Northampton Saints 43-41 at The Rec and book their place in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals.

Ma’a Nonu has been cited for dangerous tackling after Toulon’s 28-27 win over the Stormers in the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16

Harlequins were knocked out of the Investec Champions Cup after Sale Sharks secured a 26-17 victory in a physical and tense round-of-16 clash at The Stoop.

Bristol Bears exited the Investec Champions Cup at the round of 16 stage after a 59-26 defeat to Toulouse, with the six-time champions proving too sharp and too clinical at Stadium de Toulouse.