Ahead of this weekend’s Investec Champions Cup matches, please click below for Round 3 preview information including fixtures, pools, match officials, and selected club and individual player performance data.
Round 3 notes
Round 3 of 4 in the Pool stages, with 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four Pools of six. The four highest-ranked clubs in each Pool qualify for the Round of 16.
Kicking off Round 3 with a win and a loss each already, Racing 92, currently fifth in Pool 4 with four points, will be on the road next Friday as they travel to Glasgow Warriors, currently in second place on seven points opening another spectacular weekend of rugby.
Three-time champions RC Toulon look to continue their winning streak and extend their position at the top of Pool 4 in pursuit of their coveted fourth star when they host third-placed Harlequins, who will be looking over their shoulder with just one point separating them and fifth-placed Racing 92.
Pool 3 table toppers Northampton Saints will be looking to continue their title charge next week in France when they take on Stade Francais Paris who need to put their first valuable points on the board.
Huge Pool 2 clash as one of the sport’s greatest club rivalries of recent years see the top two clubs face off for arguably the tie of the round. Two-time champions Stade Rochelais host four-time winners and current URC table toppers Leinster Rugby for a remake of the 2021/22 and 2022/23 finals with neither side wanting to give up their nine-point strong starts.
Crucial Pool 1 matches as Stade Toulousain – who top the table with the maximum 10 points - head to the Southern Hemisphere to take on a Springboks packed Hollywoodbets Sharks, as they look to secure qualification for the knockouts. Meanwhile, Union Bordeax-Bègles - also on 10 points and leading the TOP14 rankings - head to Sandy Park to take on the Exeter Chiefs who are looking to secure their maiden points of this campaign.
Bristol Bears welcome an in-form Benetton Rugby - who impressed in Round 2 with their last-minute win over Bath and continued good form in the URC - to Ashton Gate in Pool 2. Meanwhile the Sale Sharks travel to South Africa to take on the DHL Stormers in Pool 4, with the home team confident of getting off the bottom of the table following impressive wins over Emirates Lions and Sharks during the festive period. Both home clubs will be more determined than ever to earn a positive result when the sides clash to put their first illusive points on the table.
Castres Olympique, fourth in Pool 3, host Vodacom Bulls, fifth. Following defeats in Rounds 1 and 2, the visiting team are in need of points in January in what promises to be a must-win for both sides in Round 3.
Ulster Rugby look to transfer their recent form from the URC over the festive period as they seek their first Pool 1 win against Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Currently third, the Tigers will be looking to close the gap on Stade Toulousain and UBB.
Saracens – currently second in Pool 3 on 9 points - look for their third consecutive win as they head to Ireland to face third-placed Munster Rugby, currently on 6 points.
ASM Clermont, third in Pool 2, head to fifth placed Bath Rugby to close out the weekend. The English side, having lost two tight encounters to Stade Rochelais and Benetton in the opening rounds, are fifth with two bonus points and will look to build off the form which has taken them to the top of the Premiership so far this season.
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