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2024 Leinster Rugby vs ASM Clermont Auvergne

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Pool 2 Preview: Heavyweight Showdown

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Pool 2 Preview: Heavyweight Showdown

Pool 2 of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup includes Leinster, La Rochelle, Bath, Clermont, Bristol and Benetton in a battle for pool supremacy.

Dec 3, 2024 by Philip Bendon
Investec Champions Cup Pool 2 Preview

Pool 2 of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup promises electrifying matchups featuring six teams with contrasting styles and ambitions. 

This pool is stacked with heavyweights, rising challengers and passionate rivals, making it one of the most intriguing groups in the tournament.

Leinster Rugby leads the charge as a four-time champion from the United Rugby Championship. 

Leo Cullen's side enters this season with key questions about temperament following three consecutive losses in the tournament final. 

Having suffered two of these heartbreaking defeats to La Rochelle, in which Leinster had comfortable leads heading into the final few minutes, Leinster will look to lay down a marker against its French rivals once again in the pool stages this season. 

The Irish side is joined by Italian Benetton Rugby, and they are the URC's two representatives. 

Marco Bortolami's Benetton is an exciting Italian team that will be looking to build on a strong URC campaign last season with a true push for the playoffs in this season's Champions Cup.

Representing France’s Top 14 are two formidable sides in La Rochelle and ASM Clermont Auvergne. 

Starting with two-time champion La Rochelle, which enters as one of the tournament favorites with a mix of brute strength and tactical excellence under head coach Ronan O’Gara, the men in yellow and black will fancy their chances in this competitive pool, given their track record of recent success in the competition. 

Clermont long has been considered the bridesmaid of the Champions Cup, with several finals appearances without ever claiming a title. This season, Clermont will hope to push one further with a strong squad headlined by several international players.

From England’s Gallagher Premiership, West Country rivals Bath Rugby and the Bristol Bears provide plenty of intrigue. 

Bath, the 1998 champion, has rebuilt under  South African head coach Johann van Graan and is poised for a strong campaign following a narrow loss in last year's Premiership final. 

Spearheading Bath's charge will be international stars, namely Scotland's Fin Russell and England's Ollie Lawrence and Sam Underhill. 

Meanwhile, Bristol’s exciting and unpredictable game plan makes it an intriguing outside bet as a pool contender with a squad that is less top-heavy than in previous seasons but consists of more quality across the park. 

Key Players In Investec Champions Cup Pool 2

Jamison Gibson-Park – Leinster Rugby

Leinster’s creative scrum-half is the heartbeat of their fast-paced, attacking game. JGP's ability to dictate tempo, release their dangerous backline, and control matches under pressure makes him a pivotal figure in Leinster’s push for a fifth European title.

Michele Lamaro – Benetton Rugby

The powerful Italian backrow and international captain is a cornerstone of Benetton’s rebuild in recent seasons. His relentless work rate, bruising carries, and breakdown dominance are critical to Benetton’s hopes of pulling off an upset in Pool 2.

Gregory Alldritt – La Rochelle

The dynamic No. 8 is the driving force behind La Rochelle’s success. With his immense ball-carrying ability, leadership and breakdown dominance, Alldritt sets the tone for his team’s forward dominance and tactical execution.

Marcos Kremer – ASM Clermont Auvergne

The Argentine enforcer is renowned for his hard-hitting tackles and physicality. Kremer’s defensive presence and lineout versatility give Clermont’s pack a major boost, and the team looks to impose itself against Europe’s best.

Ollie Lawrence – Bath Rugby

The dynamic center brings power, pace and creativity to Bath’s midfield. Lawrence’s ability to break the line and create scoring opportunities for his teammates will be key to Bath’s hopes of a strong showing in Europe.

Ellis Genge – Bristol Bears

Bristol’s captain and talismanic loosehead prop combines ferocious ball-carrying with unwavering leadership. Genge’s ability to inspire his team and dominate the set-piece makes him central to the Bears’ European aspirations.

Key Matchup Of Champions Cup Pool 2

Leinster Rugby Vs. La Rochelle

This highly anticipated clash revives the rivalry between two of Europe’s most successful sides in recent seasons. Leinster and La Rochelle last met in the quarterfinals last season.

Recording a second victory over its rivals following a dramatic pool-stage victory, Leinster put to bed any demons that may have arisen from two losses in the final.

In that quarterfinal, Leinster physically battered La Rochelle with tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong leading the charge with a huge hit on La Rochelle lock Will Skelton, who had been the Irish team's tormentor first with English Premiership outfit Saracens and subsequently with La Rochelle.

This victory set up Leinster for a home semifinal against the Northampton Saints, while La Rochelle put all of its focus in a Top 14 run, which included reaching the semifinals.  

Investec Champions Cup Pool 2 Prediction

Leinster Rugby enters Pool 2 as the favorite, aiming to reclaim the title it narrowly missed in recent years. 

Leinster's depth, consistency and attacking firepower make it the team to beat. 

La Rochelle, with an intimidating physicality and tactical precision, likely will secure second place and will remain a serious contender for the title.

Bath Rugby, rejuvenated under Johann van Graan, is set to finish third. With a blend of young talent and experienced leaders like Ollie Lawrence and Sam Underhill, Bath has the tools to secure crucial wins and challenge the pool’s top teams.

ASM Clermont Auvergne, despite the addition of Marcos Kremer last season, and its attacking threats, might lack the consistency to break into the top 3. 

The Bristol Bears, while entertaining and innovative, could struggle defensively against the physicality of the pool’s powerhouses. 

Benetton Rugby, though spirited and improving, faces an uphill battle in this star-studded group.

  1. Leinster Rugby
  2. La Rochelle
  3. Bath Rugby
  4. ASM Clermont Auvergne
  5. Bristol Bears
  6. Benetton Rugby

How To Watch The Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Season In The United States And Canada

Every minute of the Investec Champions Cup is streaming on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

Investec Champions Cup Fixture And Rugby Schedule

Here is the complete Investec Champions Cup schedule:

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 1

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025  Round 2

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 3

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 4

Investec Champions Cup Format 

Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:

  • A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
  • 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
  • Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
  • Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
  • The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Investec Champions Cup Weekends

  • Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
  • Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
  • Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
  • Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
  • Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
  • Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
  • Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
  • 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Champions Cup Qualifications 

Twenty-four clubs have qualified for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup as follows:

  • United Rugby Championship (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • TOP 14 (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • Gallagher Premiership Rugby (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • If not already qualified, the winner of the 2024 Investec Champions Cup will take the place of the eighth-ranked club in its league.

Investec Champions Cup Qualifiers 

  • TOP 14 – Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
  • GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
  • UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Ulster Rugby, Benetton Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks

When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

FloRugby and FloSports also are the US home to: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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