EPCR has confirmed the dates, venues, kick-off times and broadcast details for a blockbuster Investec Champions Cup Round of 16, as Europe and South Africa’s top clubs take the next steps on the road to the Bilbao Finals at San Mamés Stadium on Saturday 23 May.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. All 16 teams have previously reached this stage, and eight former champions - with 21 titles between them - remain in the hunt for glory. Expect drama, intensity and unforgettable clashes as old rivalries are renewed and new ones are born.
Friday 3 April
The knockout action gets underway at cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens, where last season’s finalists Northampton Saints welcome Castres Olympique. It’s Castres’ third visit to Northampton in 18 months – the most recent being last season’s quarter final, which ended in Saints’ favour en route to the final.
Saturday 4 April
Saturday opens with an all-English heavyweight battle as Gallagher Premiership champions Bath Rugby host Saracens at The Rec. Bath topped their pool, while Saracens qualified in 13th. Saracens boast three Champions Cup titles - more than any other English club – while Bath won the EPCR Challenge Cup last season. Despite frequent domestic meetings, this is their first-ever clash in the Investec Champions Cup, with knockout tension guaranteed.
RC Toulon, three-time champions, welcome DHL Stormers to Stade Mayol. Toulon claimed victory when the sides last met in South Africa during last season’s pool stage. Toulon reached the quarter-finals last season, while the Stormers last appeared in the knockout stages in 2024. DHL Stormers know they are one big win away from either a South African derby quarter-final, or league rivals Glasgow Warriors, who currently sit just below the table-topping Capetonians in the URC.
At Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow Warriors host Vodacom Bulls in a first-ever Investec Champions Cup meeting. Glasgow topped their pool with a perfect record and beat the Bulls at home in the URC earlier this season, but both sides have quarter-final pedigree in the competition, setting up a finely balanced contest.
European heavyweights Stade Toulousain then host Bristol Bears at Stadium de Toulouse in another first-time encounter. Six-time champions Toulouse took two wins in the pool stage, while Bristol impressed with three wins and will arrive full of confidence against the competition’s most decorated side.
Saturday night concludes with another all-English clash as Harlequins face Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stoop. The sides haven’t met in the Champions Cup since 2009/10, and while Sale won convincingly in domestic action in December, Quins will back their home advantage on the European stage.
Sunday 5 April
Sunday sees reigning champions and top seeds Union Bordeaux Bègles host Leicester Tigers. Bordeaux beat Leicester in last season’s pool stage, while the two-time champions Leicester, will be determined to go further than last year’s Round of 16 exit.
The Round of 16 concludes in Dublin, where four-time winners Leinster Rugby welcome Edinburgh Rugby. Leinster, chasing a fifth star after heartbreak in recent years, topped their pool. Edinburgh qualified 14th and are back in the knockouts for the first time since 2022/23. Despite both clubs’ European pedigree, this is their first Champions Cup meeting since 2008/09.
Broadcast Coverage
Every Round of 16 fixture will be broadcast live on Premier Sports in the UK and Ireland, beIN SPORTS in France, SuperSport in South Africa, and FloRugby in the USA and Canada. Selected matches will also be available free-to-air on France Télévisions with additional coverage on EPCR’s OTT platform EPCRugby.TV, which is also the exclusive home of the Investec Champions Cup in Italy.
INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP
Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)
Friday 3 April
Match 5: Northampton Saints (5) v Castres Olympique (12), cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens (20.00)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby /EPCR TV
Saturday 4 April
Match 4: Bath Rugby (4) v Saracens (13), The Recreation Ground (15.00)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby /EPCR TV
Match 7: RC Toulon (7) v DHL Stormers (10), Stade Mayol (16.00)
beIN SPORTS / France TV / Premier Sports / SuperSports / FloRugby / EPCR TV
Match 2: Glasgow Warriors (2) v Vodacom Bulls (15), Scotstoun Stadium (17.30)
Premier Sports / SuperSport / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby /EPCR TV
Match 8: Stade Toulousain (8) v Bristol Bears (9), Le Stadium de Toulouse (18.30)
beIN SPORTS / PremierSports / SuperSport / FloRugby / EPCR TV
Match 6: Harlequins (6) v Sale Sharks (11), Twickenham Stoop (20.00)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby / EPCR TV
Sunday 5 April
Match 1: Union Bordeaux Bègles (1) v Leicester Tigers (16), Stade Chaban-Delmas (16.00)
France TV / Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby / EPCR TV
Match 3: Leinster Rugby (3) v Edinburgh Rugby (14), Aviva Stadium (17.30)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby / EPCR TV
Quarter-finals – 10/11/12 April
QF 1: Winner R16 1 v Winner R16 8
QF 2: Winner R16 2 v Winner R16 7
QF 3: Winner R16 3 v Winner R16 6
QF 4: Winner R16 4 v Winner R16 5
NB: The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage
Semi-finals – 1/2/3 May
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 4
SF 2: Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 3