#Champions Cup

News about rugby's European Cup competition

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Ronan OGara
SRonan O'Gara: Leinster need to find those inches...wherever they come from
Leinster Rugby Squad Training
Toulon tie the opportunity for Leinster to scratch their Northampton itch
It's 12 months since Leinster's surprise Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton. Against Toulon on Saturday, they aim to right some wrongs

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Leinster v Sale Sharks - Investec Champions Cup Quarter-Final
S Donal Lenihan: Champions Cup has serious flaws but semis should deliver fireworks
Bordeaux face Bath and Leinster play Toulon in the Champions Cup semi-finals. Have Leinster learned the necessary lessons from their surprise last-four defeat last year?

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Zander Fagerson and Ben White 11/4/2026
Toulon look to French lessons in bid to upset Leinster
Toulon and Scotland scrum-half Ben White knows many of the Leinster players from being part of last summer's Lions tour of Australia

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Tyler Bleyendaal 13/4/2026
Leinster still chasing consistency despite European semi-final spot
Leinster attack coach Bleyendaal wants more accuracy from his side without sacrificing ambition

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Dan Sheehan is tackeled by Tom Roebuck 11/4/2026
S Donal Lenihan: Home comfort for Leinster, but bigger questions remain before Toulon
It's now about timing for Leinster ahead of their Champions Cup semi-final. Many of their top individuals are beginning to sparkle. Collectively clicking can't be far off

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Leinster Rugby Squad Training
Leinster follow Ireland in delving deep into loosehead stocks
Six days on from their helter skelter victory over Edinburgh, Leinster face Sale in the Champions Cup quarter-finals

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

RUGBYU-EUR-CUP-LA ROCHELLE-HARLEQUINS
S Ronan O'Gara: Punched in the nose, left sitting on our backsides
Champions Cup exits, leadership questions and fine margins leave La Rochelle and Munster facing uncomfortable truths and a long road back

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

Inter Milan v Arsenal - UEFA Champions League - League Phase - San Siro
Mikel Arteta proud of Arsenal’s ‘hunger’ after win over Inter Milan
Arsenal are now certain of finishing the 36-team Champions League group either first or second which means home advantage for the second legs of their knockout games.

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

Bayonne v Leinster - Investec Champions Cup
'Let’s see where we end up' says Cullen as Leinster edge out battling Bayonne 
The eastern province are Ireland's only remaining Champions Cup side.

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Gavin Coombes is tackled by Gauthier Maravat 17/1/2026
Munster out of Champions Cup after home defeat to Castres in epic 
The visitors won at Thomond Park for the first time on Saturday evening.

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Max Deegan scores a try 17/1/2026
Leinster labour to win against battling Bayonne
The victory on the road guarantees a home quarter-final in the Champions Cup. 

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Launch of the AIB GAA Hurling Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Finals 14/1/2026
Sportsguide: All-Ireland senior club finals, final pool games in Champions and Challenge Cup and Basketball finals
It is another action packed weekend of sport with the All-Ireland senior club football and hurling finals, the final round of the pool stages in Champions and Challenge Cups and the Basketball finals at the National Basketball Arena - all you need to know here.

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Will Collier arrives 12/4/2025
Will Collier: 'We have a big history with Munster and, yes, it will be difficult, but I think we have the belief'
“There’s a lot riding on this game, for us and them,” he said of Saturday’s early evening match. “We’ve prepared like it’s a finals match.” 

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Michael Ala'alatoa inspects the pitch before the game 2/1/2026
Ala’alatoa relishing regular rugby as Munster scrum gathers momentum
Former Leinster prop Michael Ala’alatoa reflects on a rapid Munster move, family upheaval and a growing influence in the scrum

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Alfie Barbeary celebrates Tom Dunn scoring a try 16/1/2026
Barbeary shows class as Bath score nine tries to race into Champions Cup last 16
Two tries for Cokanasiga while front-rowers all score, too

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Rieko Ioane with fans after the game 10/1/2026
Leinster still waiting for Rieko Ioane to replicate the Jordie Barrett effect
Ioane is listed among the replacements for Leinster’s closing Champions Cup pool game away to Bayonne

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Niall Scannell, Jack Crowley, Diarmuid Barron, Brian Gleeson and Gavin Coombes dejected after the game 11/1/2026
Munster v Castres in the Champions Cup: kick-off time, TV details and team news
It is the final round of the group stage in the Champions Cup with Munster back on home soil to take on Castres.

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Virgin Media Television Rugby Launch
Conor Murray: 'He'll pick players that are playing the best. He doesn't look at age'
The Patrickswell native did take a positive from the fact Munster were moments away from a famous victory on the road and he backed his old side to win against Castres at Thomond Park tomorrow and ultimately advance to the knockout phase of Europe’s top-tier.

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Brian Gleeson 13/1/2026
Brian Gleeson buzzing again as Munster forward targets full shift against Castres
A strong showing for Gleeson against Castres could also help the Tipperary man reach a personal goal, with Andy Farrell set to name his Ireland squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations campaign next Wednesday. 

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Your sport on TV this week: All-Ireland Club senior finals, Champions and Challenge Cup and Premier League
Your sport on TV this week: All-Ireland Club senior finals, Champions and Challenge Cup and Premier League
It is another action packed weekend of sport on tv with the All-Ireland Club senior football and hurling finals, the Champions and Challenge Cup final group games and the Premier League - all you need to know here. 

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

Ulster v Munster - United Rugby Championship
Toulon v Munster in the Champions Cup: kick-off time, TV details and team news
It's back to European rugby this weekend and Munster make the trip to France to take on Toulon on Sunday afternoon.

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-LA ROCHELLE-TOULON
Toulon head coach: 'We have a hellish schedule. We’re not robots. We’re asked to play 11 months every year'
The squad for Sunday's must-win match against Munster will be big-name, big-game Toulonnais

Sat, 10 Jan, 2026

Clayton McMillan arrives 2/1/2026
Clayton McMillan doesn't want Munster to put big European games on a pedestal ahead of Toulon clash
“We can't get excited when we're playing on a big stage in front of big crowds in the European Cup and then not show up on other nights when it's half-snowing, it's a five, six-hour bus trip away from where we are. These are the nights where we actually need to front up, and that's what disappoints me.”

Sat, 10 Jan, 2026

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-LA ROCHELLE-TOULON
S Ronan O'Gara: Drawing a line after humiliation against Toulouse and preparing for Leinster
We are starting a new, thrilling project with young exciting talent in La Rochelle but it will take some time. Is there the patience to wait? Have we got that time? Have I got that time? 

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Rugby Podcast Special: Munster and Leinster's imperfect wins 
Rugby Podcast Special: Munster and Leinster's imperfect wins 
Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien talk through Munster and Leinster’s imperfect wins in round 2 of the Champions Cup pool stages.

 Listen | Sun, 14 Dec, 2025

 Listen |
Ben O'Connor 1/12/2025
Sportsguide: Munster v Gloucester, All-Ireland Club Camogie and Ladies finals
It is another action packed weekend of sport with the second round of the Champions Cup with Munster heading to the home of Cork GAA to face Gloucester, the All-Ireland Club Camogie and Ladies finals take place - all you need to know here.

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025

Michael Ala'alatoa 9/12/2025
Munster face 'must-win' night in Cork after Bath blowout
Clayton McMillan said there are "lots of little lessons" for Munster from the defeat to Bath. Though he added they do not need to start looking for problems where there are none

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025

Tommy O’Brien and Caelan Doris celebrate Dan Sheehan’s try 12/12/2025
Leinster grind out win against gritty Leicester
Leo Cullen and co will be happy to get out of town with four competition points, given the nature of the contest.

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

Andrew Smith arrives 5/4/2025
S Ronan O'Gara: Suffering on safari, Munster fans' blind loyalty, me in my box
Our intrepid columnist finds himself in reflective mood after another brush with authority, admiring Munster's support from afar and, all the while, mixing with the wildlife on South Africa's most southerly tip

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

Leinster v Harlequins - Investec Champions Cup
Jack Conan: 'If I was paying a lot of money to see my team away it would be frustrating'
Many of the opening round games in this season's Champions Cup were undermined by clubs playing understrength teams

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test
Lions tour changed England lock's preconceptions about Irish players
Getting to know the Irish players changed the preconceptions Ollie Chessum had built up in his mind about them.

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Andrew Sparrow, Jack Conan, Tadhg Furlong and Jamison Gibson-Park 8/12/2025
Why Welford Road trip might be what Leinster need right now
“Where we're going on Friday, you’ve got to get it right because the level of the opposition, the venue, the European stage, everything needs to be ironed out," said Leinster forwards coach Robin McBryde

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

Michael Ala'alatoa dejected after the match 6/12/2025
S Donal Lenihan: Michael Ala’alatoa the only bright spark for Munster on chastening night
This was just about the worst possible launchpad for a campaign of this calibre, but Munster are more than capable of responding against Gloucester at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Northampton Saints v Union Bordeaux-Begles - Investec Champions Cup 2024/2025 Final
S Ronan O'Gara: Don't judge until you've walked a mile in my moccasins
With injuries mounting, disciplinary hearings looming and a punishing run of fixtures ahead, Ronan O’Gara reflects on Pau and the European road

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

JJ Hanrahan 1/12/2025
Leamy backs Munster’s road-hardened smarts for Bath Champions Cup test 
Munster face Bath in their opening game of the Champions Cup knowing they will need their best performance of the season to leave the the Rec with something meaningful

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Tom Farrell is tackled by Warrick Gelant 29/11/2025
Munster’s Tom Farrell calls for ‘complete performance’ ahead of clash with Bath
Tom Farrell says Munster must hit every mark — attack, defence and set-piece — as they open Europe away to resurgent Bath

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Clayton McMillan with Johann van Graan 12/9/2025
S Duncan Casey: Munster need everything onside at The Rec - including some good old grudge
You can’t argue with what Van Graan has achieved since the move to Bath - they were a basket case when he arrived but have gone from strength to strength since

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Wales v South Africa - Quilter Nations Series - Principality Stadium
S Donal Lenihan: Springboks supremacy aided by eight man bench - does World Rugby need to revisit rule?
How is it safe for an out half or centre, with 70 minutes of game time behind him, to have to tackle a fresh rampaging behemoth stationed in midfield off a line out, ready to explode down his channel?

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Thirty years of Champions Cup has given us the beastly, beautiful and bizarre
Thirty years of Champions Cup has given us the beastly, beautiful and bizarre
Bloodgate, the ‘Hand of Back’ and a drop goal off ‘someone’s arse’ are among the tournament’s delightful eccentricities - and Munster’s contribution to European history is also impossible to overlook

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

A view of the Investec Champions Cup trophy and match ball 24/5/2024
Champions Cup draw: O'Gara and Leinster to renew acquaintances, Munster to face van Graan's Bath
In the Challenge Cup, Connacht will come up against the likes of Racing 92 and Ospreys in Pool 1, with Zebre, Montpellier and Benetton rounding out the group

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

Northampton Saints v Union Bordeaux-Begles - Investec Champions Cup - Final - Principality Stadium
S Duncan Casey: If the TMO must intervene, Champions Cup final was a model of efficiency
Bordeaux's attack coach is Irishman Noel McNamara. His journey to the pinnacle of professional rugby is unusual. 

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Leinster Rugby Squad Training
Jamie Osborne: If I want to be in the Leinster team I need to be just as good as Jordie Barrett
Jordie Barrett’s levels of communication, his ability to scan the field and see the right pictures, allied to his professionalism, have all been noted and digested by Jamie Osborne. 

Thu, 08 May, 2025

Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber 5/5/2025
Leinster's Jacques Nienaber: There is no magic formula to get the team to win
Nienaber’s “gut” instinct when Caelan Doris came off after 57 minutes of Leinster Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton was not good. The backrow's Lions tour is in serious jeopardy. 

Tue, 06 May, 2025

Leinster v Northampton Saints - Investec Champions Cup Semi-Final
S Peter Jackson: Leinster fans must wonder if their team are under a curse
To cite French referee Pierre Brousset’s denial of a last-minute penalty try as an excuse for Leinster's knock-out is to evade more pointed questions over their leadership.

Mon, 05 May, 2025

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