As the Investec Champions Cup pool stage reaches its final weekend, several clubs are battling to secure a place in the last 16 knockout stage. While teams such as Glasgow Warriors, Sale Sharks, Leinster, Harlequins, Bristol Bears, and Northampton Saints have already qualified, others including Saracens, Leicester Tigers, Gloucester, and Scarlets remain in contention, making this final round crucial.
Championship Stakes
With four points awarded for a win, bonus points available for scoring four tries, or losing by seven points or fewer, every match this weekend carries enormous weight. Teams finishing top two in their pool guarantee a home tie in the last 16, while fifth-placed sides drop to the Challenge Cup, and the bottom team is eliminated from all European competition.
Fans can follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app, with radio coverage on BBC Sounds, BBC Sport Extra, and local BBC stations.
Stormers vs Leicester Tigers
Wales international Olly Cracknell captains a significantly changed Leicester Tigers squad in a must-win Pool 3 clash against the Stormers in Cape Town.
- Unavailable: Winger Adam Radwan and England full-back Freddie Steward
- Replacements: Ollie Hassell-Collins, George Pearson
- Key Players Retained: Fly-half Billy Searle, partnered by Tom Whiteley as Jack van Poortvliet drops out
- New Front Row: Tarek Haffar, Jamie Blamire, Will Hurd
The Stormers, led by Springbok fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, need a win to secure last-16 qualification, though Warrick Gelant and Damian Willemse are sidelined with concussion.
Date & Kick-off: Saturday, 16 January at 15:15 GMT, DHL Stadium
Toulouse vs Sale Sharks
Already-qualified Sale make nine changes for their Pool 1 trip to six-time champions Toulouse. England internationals George Ford and Tom Curry are rested.
- New Faces: Academy players Ollie Davies and Jos Gilmore start
- Back Row Changes: Tom Burrow, Hyron Andrews come in
- Key Starters: Gus Warr (scrum-half), Obi Ene (wing)
Toulouse, having lost two of three pool games, must win to ensure progression, with Antoine Dupont at scrum-half and Scotland international Blair Kinghorn at fly-half.
Date & Kick-off: Saturday, 16 January at 17:30 GMT, Stade Toulousain
Gloucester vs Toulon
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams returns from injury to captain Gloucester, aiming for Pool 2 qualification.
- Backs: Charlie Atkinson partners Williams; George Barton at full-back; Josh Hathaway and Jack Cotgreave on the wings
- Forwards: Dian Bleuler, Danny Eite, Will Trenholm included
- Toulon: Captained by France international Charles Ollivon, featuring Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Ben White, Zach Mercer
Gloucester must beat the visiting Toulon side to secure a knockout berth.
Date & Kick-off: Saturday, 16 January at 20:00 GMT, Kingsholm
Bristol Bears vs Bordeaux
Bristol make three changes, welcoming back Ellis Genge, Harry Randall, Louis Rees-Zammit, following a 61-49 win over Northampton.
- Backs in Form: Noah Heward (wing) scored a first-half hat-trick last week; Kalavati Ravouvou on opposite wing
- Back Row: Fitz Harding, Santiago Grondona, Viliame Mata
- Bordeaux: Two changes; full-back Salesi Rayasi on bench, replaced by Romain Buros
Both sides are already through; this match decides pool winners and home advantage in the last 16.
Date & Kick-off: Sunday, 17 January at 13:00 GMT, Ashton Gate
Northampton Saints vs Scarlets
Northampton aim to secure home advantage, led by returning captain Fraser Dingwall. England fly-half Fin Smith is ruled out with a calf injury.
- Half-back pairing: Anthony Belleau and Alex Mitchell
- Front Row Changes: Emmanuel Iyogun, Robbie Smith
- Scarlets: Wales fly-half Sam Costelow returns; Jac Davies (full-back) and Max Douglas (lock) also recalled
- Scarlets’ Goal: Bonus-point win needed to reach last 16 after Bulls’ late victory over Pau
Date & Kick-off: Sunday, 17 January at 15:15 GMT, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
La Rochelle vs Harlequins
Harlequins, already qualified, make one change with Joe Launchbury returning for his 50th club appearance.
- Back Row: Alex Dombrandt (captain) joined by Chandler Cunningham-South and Jack Kenningham
- Half-backs: Marcus Smith and Lucas Friday continue
- La Rochelle: Need a win to progress; captain Uini Atonio, Jack Nowell on bench
Date & Kick-off: Sunday, 17 January at 15:15 GMT, Stade Marcel-Deflandre
Glasgow Warriors vs Saracens
Saracens make four changes from last week’s win over Toulouse, with former England captain Owen Farrell at centre and Ben Earl in the back row.
- Glasgow: Scotland international Rory Darge returns; George Horne set for 150th Warriors appearance
- Pool 1 Status: Glasgow unbeaten, Saracens still in contention; potential for Saracens to win pool depending on results
Date & Kick-off: Sunday, 17 January (time TBD), Scotstoun
Champions Cup Final Round Highlights
- Leicester, Gloucester, Sale, and Scarlets fight for last-16 spots
- Top two finishers in each pool secure home ties
- Bonus points and disciplinary cards could decide knockout qualification
- BBC coverage: live text, radio, and app updates for all matches
This weekend promises to be decisive, with high stakes for clubs aiming to secure home advantage or a place in Europe’s premier club competition.
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