The 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup gets underway from Friday 16 October, with 24 of the leading club teams from England, France and the United Rugby Championship competing for European rugby’s biggest prize.
Sunday betting and weather update
Posted 18 October 09h32
There are three Champions Cup matches taking place today, with the latest handicaps as follows:
Pau -3.5 v Leicester Tigers, total points 60.5
Toulouse -30.5 v Exeter Chiefs
Northampton Saints -25.5 v Cardiff
There has been significant support for Leicester, who have shortened from +8.5 to +3.5. Northampton have moved in the opposite direction, firming from -22.5 to -25.5, while Toulouse have eased slightly from -32.5 to -30.5.
Pau v Leicester Tigers
Overcast but dry conditions are forecast around kick-off, with the temperature approximately 13°C and only light winds expected.
Click here for the latest hourly forecast from Time and Date.
Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs
It should be overcast and dry in Toulouse, with the temperature around 15°C and light to moderate winds.
Click here for the latest hourly forecast from Time and Date.
Northampton Saints v Cardiff
This looks like the least favourable weather of the three matches. Cool and breezy conditions are forecast, with some drizzle possible around kick-off and the temperature around 11°C.
Click here for the latest hourly forecast from Time and Date.
After a few close calls yesterday, I have decided to take the day off from punting. I will watch the matches with interest, but there will be no bets from me today.
Bet Stormers v Bristol Bears and La Rochelle v Lions
Posted 17 October 11h28
Bet: 2 units (1–5), Stormers over 46.5 points at 10/11 onto La Rochelle over 35.5 points at 0.93/1 - the double is 26/10 at Betxchange
This will be my final action for the day after collecting a nice profit on the New Zealand game this morning. I am away in the bush with the family and will be closing the laptop until Sunday morning.
The Stormers should be far too strong for this Bristol Bears side and are now -27.5 favourites. Rather than taking the handicap, I’m backing the home team to score 47 points or more.
La Rochelle remain -14.5 favourites against the Lions, and I’m backing the French side to score at least 36 points.
The atmosphere at that game will undoubtedly be one of great sadness following the terrible news of Hyron Andrews’ passing.
I’ll be back on Sunday morning, potentially with a bet or two on the remaining matches.
Bet Bulls v Stade Français
Posted 17 October 06h54
Bet: 2 units (1–5), under 73.5 points at 0.93/1 with BetXchange
It is funny how your mindset on a game can change. Like many punters, I initially pegged this as a high-scoring encounter and was hoping for a points line in the early 60s. Instead, the bookmakers have given us 73.5, and I found myself asking whether that might be too high?
Both of last season’s Champions Cup matches at Loftus cleared this mark. However, despite the Bulls being involved in some high-scoring contests, each of their last nine matches at the ground has produced 73 points or fewer.
It is going to be scorching hot in Pretoria today. While conditions underfoot should be excellent, I think we may see both teams looking to slow the game down at some stage.
Although it didn't seem to make a difference in the Gloucester v UBB game last night the new bonus point rule may see teams tighten up a bit to prevent consolation tries.
The handicap has moved three points, with the Bulls now -27.5 after opening at -24.5.
This is by no means a confident call, but I cannot resist the unders at such a high total-points line.
RIP Hyron Andrews
The rugby world was rocked by the news of the passing of Hyron Andrews while touring with the Lions in France yesterday - may he RIP and thoughts are with the players, staff and familes of the Lions.
Bet Gloucester v Bordeaux
Posted 16 October 07h36
Bet: 2 units (1–5), Bordeaux -8.5 points at 19/20 with BetXchange
Gloucester have won two of their last three matches, beating Exeter 45-24 and Harlequins 48-0 before going down 38-31 away to Leicester last weekend.
Bordeaux also arrive in good form, having beaten Lyon 51-28 before edging Clermont 23-22 on the road.
There has been money for Gloucester, with Bordeaux shortening from opening favourites of -12.5 to -8.5. Gloucester have shown that they can be dangerous, particularly at home, but Bordeaux are one of the leading contenders for the Champions Cup and have named a strong side.
One of the live viewers on The Handicap our rugby betting show expects Bordeaux to make a statement in their opening match and I am following and backing them to win by nine points or more.
I won’t be betting on every game this weekend as I’ll be away, with most of my focus falling on Saturday’s matches involving the South African teams.
Money for the Stormers
Posted 15 Oct 19h28
The Stormers are one of the money teams with the handicap out to -20.5 from -14.5 - latest handicaps below
Gloucester +8.5 v Bordeaux — moved four points from +12.5
Bulls -24.5 v Stade Français
Sale Sharks +3.5 v Glasgow Warriors — moved three points from +6.5
Stormers -20.5 v Bristol Bears — moved six points from -14.5
Clermont +11.5 v Leinster
La Rochelle -15.5 v Lions
Connacht +3.5 v Saracens
Bath -9.5 v Montpellier
Munster -9.5 v Racing 92
Pau -8.5 v Leicester Tigers
Toulouse -32.5 v Exeter Chiefs
Northampton Saints -23.5 v Cardiff
Handicaps are out
Posted 13 Oct 06h27
Gloucester +12.5 v Bordeaux
Bulls -24.5 v Stade Français
Sale Sharks +6.5 v Glasgow
Clermont +10.5 v Leinster
Stormers -14.5 v Bristol Bears
La Rochelle -15.5 v Lions
Connacht +3.5 v Saracens
Bath -8.5 v Montpellier
Munster -10.5 v Racing 92
Pau -8.5 v Leicester Tigers
Toulouse -32.5 v Exeter Chiefs
Northampton Saints -22.5 v Cardiff
Investec Cup Week 1
Posted 11 October
Defending champions Bordeaux Bègles begin their title defence away to Gloucester on Friday night, while the three South African representatives are the Bulls, Stormers and Lions.
The final will take place at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon on 22 May 2027.
Format changes for the 2026/27 season
The 24 teams have once again been divided into four pools of six, with each pool containing two teams from the PREM, Top 14 and United Rugby Championship.
Each team will play four pool matches against the teams from the other two leagues, meaning clubs do not face teams from their own domestic competition during the pool stage.
There are, however, some significant changes to qualification for the knockout rounds.
Previously, the top four teams in each pool progressed automatically to the Round of 16. This season, only the top three in each pool qualify automatically, with the leading two teams earning home advantage in the Round of 16.
The four remaining places will go to the four best-performing teams from outside the top three across all four pools. The next four sides in that combined ranking will drop into the Challenge Cup, while the bottom four will be eliminated from European competition.
There has also been a change to the bonus-point system. A team will now earn a try-scoring bonus point only if it scores at least three tries more than its opponent, replacing the previous system where a bonus point was awarded for scoring four tries.
Where teams finish level on log points, the number of matches won will now be the first tiebreaker rather than points difference.
Outright betting
French giants Toulouse and defending champions Bordeaux Bègles share favouritism at 21/10.
Leinster, who were beaten by Bordeaux in last season’s final, are next in the betting at 11/2. Bath are the shortest-priced English team at 10/1, followed by defending PREM champions Northampton Saints at 12/1.
Glasgow Warriors, Montpellier and La Rochelle are all available at 16/1.
South African teams
The Bulls are the shortest-priced South African representatives at 22/1. They have been drawn in Pool 4 alongside Northampton Saints, Bath, Cardiff, Montpellier and Stade Français.
The Stormers are available at 33/1 and compete in Pool 3 with Bordeaux Bègles, Racing 92, Munster, Bristol Bears and Gloucester.
The Lions are the outsiders of the three South African teams at 124/1. They find themselves in a difficult Pool 2 containing Toulouse, Saracens, La Rochelle, Exeter Chiefs and Connacht.
Outright prices were available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
ROUND 1 FIXTURES
Friday 16 October
Gloucester v Bordeaux Bègles – 21:00 SAST, Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Saturday 17 October
Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors – 14:00 SAST, CorpAcq Stadium, Manchester
Bulls v Stade Français – 14:00 SAST, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Clermont Auvergne v Leinster – 16:15 SAST, Stade Marcel-Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand
Stormers v Bristol Bears – 16:15 SAST, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Connacht v Saracens – 18:30 SAST, Dexcom Stadium, Galway
La Rochelle v Lions – 18:30 SAST, Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle
Bath v Montpellier – 21:00 SAST, The Recreation Ground, Bath
Munster v Racing 92 – 21:00 SAST, Thomond Park, Limerick
Sunday 18 October
Pau v Leicester Tigers – 14:00 SAST, Stade du Hameau, Pau
Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs – 16:15 SAST, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Northampton Saints v Cardiff – 18:30 SAST, Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
This blog will keep an eye on all the latest betting ahead of Round 1, including handicap movements, points lines and any bets that catch my attention.
Every match involving a South African team will also receive its own individual betting preview.
Disclaimer
Odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. No bet is guaranteed to win. Please only bet what you can afford to lose.