Investec Champions Cup: Holders Toulouse drawn in blockbuster pool as Leinster set to face La Rochelle again
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Published 02/07/2024 at 13:27 GMT+1
The 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup pools were drawn on Tuesday, with some massive clashes scheduled for the new campaign. Holders Toulouse will take on Bordeaux, the Sharks, Ulster and English sides Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs in a tough section, while Leinster renew their rivalry with La Rochelle and Northampton Saints battle Saracens and Munster.
Highlights: Toulouse edge Leinster thriller in extra time to seal sixth star
Video credit: TNT Sports
European champions Toulouse will face Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers in a blockbuster Investec Champions Cup pool, while Leinster and La Rochelle will renew their rivalry following Tuesday’s draw.
Captain Antoine Dupont inspired Toulouse to a record-extending sixth European crown in May as Leinster finished runners-up for a third year in a row.
The French side followed that up by claiming the Top 14 crown too, but Ugo Mola’s men face a challenging pool when their title defence gets underway in 2024/25.
Premiership sides Exeter and Leicester, French rivals Bordeaux-Begles – quarter-finalists last year – South African giants the Sharks, and Irish province Ulster make up a stacked Pool 1.
In Pool 2, Leinster face the prospect of a rematch of the 2022 and 2023 finals – both of which they lost - when they take on French giants La Rochelle.
They also have Clermont Auvergne, Italy’s Benetton and English pair Bath and Bristol Bears for company.
Saints, fresh off claiming their first Premiership title for 10 years and a run to the Champions Cup semi-finals, will face domestic rivals Saracens in Pool 3.
The English pair will go up against two-time champions Munster, South African side the Bulls, and two French clubs in Stade Francais and Castres.
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Finally, newly-crowned URC champions Glasgow Warriors stand in the path of Harlequins, Sale Sharks, Racing 92, Toulon and Stormers in a Pool 4 section that promises entertainment.
Fixtures get underway on the weekend of December 6, with the final scheduled for May 24, 2025 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Champions Cup pool draw
Pool 1: Toulouse, Bordeaux Begles, Sharks, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Ulster
Pool 2: Leinster, Clermont Auvergne, La Rochelle, Bristol Bears, Benetton, Bath
Pool 3: Northampton Saints, Munster, Bulls, Stade Francais, Saracens, Castres
Pool 4: Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, Sale Sharks, Stormers, RC Toulon, Harlequins
The Challenge Cup draw was also made on Tuesday, featuring the remaining Premiership and URC clubs who failed to qualify for the Champions Cup last season.
Newcastle Falcons were drawn against Montpellier, Section Paloise, the Lions and Welsh duo Ospreys and Dragons.
Gloucester are in Pool 3 with Edinburgh, Scarlets, Bayonne, Vannes and Black Lion.
The first pool sees Cardiff Blues take on Connacht, Cheetahs, Perpignan, Lyon and Zebre Parma.
Challenge Cup pool draw
Pool 1: Cardiff, Connacht, Cheetahs, Perpignan, Lyon, Zebre
Pool 2: Montpellier, Section Paloise, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons, Lions, Ospreys
Pool 3: FC Vannes, Black Lion, Bayonne, Scarlets, Edinburgh, Gloucester
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