Investec Champions Cup Round 1 Match-By-Match Recap
Investec Champions Cup Round 1 Match-By-Match Recap
An Investec Champions Cup Round 1 recap from every match, including Stade Toulousain, Leinster Rugby, Munster Rugby, Stade Rochelais and the Vodacom Bulls.
Round 1 of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup delivered wall-to-wall action, beginning on Friday evening and ending on Sunday evening.
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Round 2 of the Investec Champions Cup begins on Dec. 13.
Here is a match-by-match recap of all the action that was live on FloRugby:
Bath Rugby Vs. Stade Rochelais
Bath's spirited second-half comeback fell just short, as two-time champion La Rochelle claimed a 22-18 victory in a stormy Champions Cup opener at the Rec.
In torrential rain and swirling winds brought by Storm Darragh, La Rochelle raced to a 21-6 halftime lead with tries from Oscar Jegou, Reda Wardi and Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
Despite losing captain Ben Spencer before kickoff, Bath fought back resiliently after the break.
Tom Dunn sparked hope for the hosts with a try from a rolling maul before Quinn Roux capitalized on a slippery ball to narrow the deficit to just one point.
Fuelled by a passionate home crowd, Bath's determination set the stage for a potential upset.
However, Ihaia West’s late penalty restored a four-point cushion for the French side.
In the dying moments, Levani Botia’s critical turnover ended Bath’s challenge.
Reflecting on the game, stand-in Bath captain Charlie Ewels praised his side's fightback but acknowledged missed chances: “We had opportunities to win, but the physicality and focus needed felt like a test match.”
Bath now turns its attention to a Round 2 clash with Benetton on Dec. 15, while La Rochelle will host the Bristol Bears.
Hollywoodbets Sharks Vs. Exeter Chiefs
The Exeter Chiefs fell 39-21 to a clinical Sharks side in their Investec Champions Cup opener in Durban, despite a spirited effort and a late numerical advantage.
Exeter started brightly, with Dan Frost scoring early, despite Greg Fisilau being in the sin bin.
Frost added a second try just before halftime, but by then, the Sharks had surged ahead, leading 26-14 after four unanswered tries, including scores from Makazole Mapimpi, Phepsi Buthelezi, Grant Williams and Siya Kolisi.
Kolisi, South Africa’s World Cup-winning captain, completed his brace in the second half, after the Sharks capitalized on an Exeter line-out error.
England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso claimed Exeter’s third try from a cross-field kick, keeping hopes alive.
The Sharks lack of discipline saw three players sent to the sin bin in quick succession, reducing them to 12 men late on. However, Exeter failed to capitalize, with Ben Hammersley dropping a crucial high kick that would have secured a bonus point.
Exeter, winless in the Premiership this season, showed ambition but couldn’t match the Sharks’ clinical edge.
The Chiefs now face Toulouse in their next Pool 1 match on Dec.15, needing a victory to reignite their European campaign.
Clermont Vs. Benetton
Clermont Auvergne opened its European campaign with a commanding 28-0 bonus-point victory over Benetton at Stade Marcel-Michelin.
Peceli Yato and Barnabe Massa each scored twice, as Clermont capitalized on early Benetton indiscipline, including a yellow card for Sebastian Negri, to seize control.
Yato’s try in the opening 10 minutes set the tone, with Massa adding two more before halftime, both converted by Ben Urdapilleta, giving the French side a 21-0 lead.
Benetton, keen to respond after a heavy loss to Edinburgh last week, showed flashes of attacking intent in the second half but was unable to break through a resolute Clermont defense.
Despite the visitors' efforts to stay competitive, Clermont maintained dominance, frequently threatening on the counterattack.
The hosts sealed the win in the 76th minute when Yato claimed his second try, ensuring a perfect start to their European campaign.
Benetton, unable to match Clermont’s intensity, will look to regroup in its next outing.
This victory builds on Clermont’s strong domestic form and highlights the team's ambitions in this year’s competition.
DHL Stormers Vs. Toulon
Toulon clinched the first victory in its history outside Europe, defeating the Stormers 24-14 in a passionate Champions Cup clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Backed by a vocal Eastern Cape crowd, the Stormers started brightly but were undone by a lack of discipline and precision.
Toulon, three-time champion, capitalized with clinical tries from Gabin Villiere, Facundo Isa and skipper Baptiste Serin, showcasing a blend of grit and guile.
Despite late red and yellow cards, the French side held firm to secure a significant win.
The Stormers’ Springbok duo, Warrick Gelant and Joseph Dweba, crossed the line to keep hopes of a comeback alive. Dweba, in particular, was impressive with his strong all-around performance, reinforcing his Springboks credentials, as he finished off a well-executed line-out drive.
However, a lack of discipline cost the Stormers dearly.
Leolin Zas’s reckless shoulder charge, resulting in a yellow card, epitomized their struggles.
Toulon controlled key moments, with Serin delivering a master class in game management, while Villiere and Isa contributed pivotal moments on both sides of the ball.
The Stormers now face mounting pressure, with just two wins in seven matches this season, while Toulon’s resurgence hints at its potential to rejoin Europe’s elite.
Northampton Saints Vs. Castres
The Northampton Saints launched their Investec Champions Cup campaign with an emphatic 38-8 bonus-point win over Castres at a stormy Franklin’s Gardens.
Captain Fraser Dingwall powered over early to set the tone for the Premiership champions, before Temo Mayanavanua’s barnstorming run extended the lead.
A Louis le Brun penalty kept Castres within reach, but worsening winds from Storm Darragh stifled attacking opportunities, forcing both teams into tactical kicking.
After halftime, the Saints capitalized on calmer conditions.
Juarno Augustus touched down in the corner following a quick penalty, and Curtis Langdon’s close-range effort secured the bonus point.
Augustus added his second try, showcasing his immense strength as he powered over with help from his pack.
Castres’ Pierre Colonna snatched a late consolation with a quick tap-and-go, but teenager Henry Pollock capped a memorable European debut with a stunning solo effort, breaking tackles and spinning through defenders for the final score.
With Augustus set to join Ulster next season, Pollock’s standout performance signaled his readiness to step into the spotlight.
The Saints’ victory demonstrated resilience and precision, reigniting their season as they now prepare for a trip to face the Bulls in South Africa. Castres will regroup to host Munster in its next outing.
Munster Vs. Stade Francais
Munster opened its Investec Champions Cup campaign with a dominant 33-7 bonus-point victory over a Stade Français side reduced to 13 men in the second half at Thomond Park.
Thaakir Abrahams opened the scoring in the 15th minute, diving over in the corner following smart play from Craig Casey and Peter O'Mahony.
Despite Alex Nankivell’s yellow card for a high tackle, Shane Daly doubled Munster’s lead with a sensational solo try, chipping twice over defenders and sprinting to score under the posts. Crowley’s conversions sent Munster into the break 14-0 ahead.
Stade briefly applied pressure early in the second half, but it unraveled after Pierre Azagoh was shown red for a reckless arm to O'Mahony's head.
Munster capitalized immediately, with Alex Kendellen scoring from a powerful maul.
Moments later, Stade’s Baptiste Pesenti received another red card for a dangerous tackle on Casey, leaving the visitors with 13 men.
Tom Farrell secured the bonus-point try on his Champions Cup debut, while Gavin Coombes added a fifth late on, exploiting gaps in a stretched French defence.
Stade managed a consolation through Clement Castets, but Munster’s superiority never was in doubt.
Munster will look to build on this strong start when it hosts Castres on Friday.
Saracens Vs. Vodacom Bulls
Saracens began its hunt for a fourth European Cup in style, overcoming blustery conditions to claim a 27-5 bonus-point victory over the Bulls at StoneX Stadium.
The Bulls struck first, with Sebastian de Klerk crossing in the corner, but Saracens responded, as Rhys Carre powered over after a dominant drive by the pack.
Despite the fierce wind, Fergus Burke managed to land a penalty, giving the hosts a narrow 8-5 lead at halftime after missing earlier opportunities.
The second half saw Saracens take full control, aided by yellow cards to Bulls duo Jannes Kirsten and De Klerk, reducing the visitors to 13 men.
England captain Jamie George scored from a textbook rolling maul, while man of the match Tom Willis added another after Theo McFarland’s charge down created the opportunity.
Ben Earl’s superb individual effort sealed the bonus-point try, as the England No. 8 displayed pace and strength to beat two defenders and score in the corner.
Saracens' experienced forwards, including Maro Itoje and Nick Isiekwe, were instrumental, ensuring their dominance in set-pieces and mauls.
The win marks a strong response after a Premiership loss to Newcastle, setting the stage for next weekend’s trip to Stade Français.
Glasgow Warriors Vs. Sale Sharks
The Glasgow Warriors began their Investec Champions Cup campaign in style, claiming a dominant 38-19 bonus-point win over the Sale Sharks at a blustery Scotstoun.
Scrumhalf George Horne starred with a hat trick, scoring three of Glasgow’s five first-half tries.
Kyle Rowe and Huw Jones also crossed in a blistering opening period that showcased the Warriors’ attacking prowess.
Sale responded with a penalty try and a score from Arron Reed, but Glasgow secured a commanding 33-12 halftime lead.
Horne opened the scoring within three minutes, combining with Matt Fagerson and Jones to slice through the Sale defense. He followed up with a brilliant solo effort, chasing his own grubber kick to touch down before converting Rowe’s try after fluid handling from the Glasgow backs.
Despite Sale’s penalty try and a yellow card for Horne, the hosts quickly hit back, with Jones scoring wide after Rory Darge’s powerful break. Horne completed his hat trick before the break, finishing a move sparked by Jamie Bhatti’s storming carry.
Sale’s Joe Carpenter crossed early in the second half, but Scott Cummings’ late try ensured Glasgow’s sixth score and a comprehensive win.
The Warriors now head to Toulon next Sunday, aiming to maintain their perfect start.
Racing 92 Vs. Harlequins
In an edge-of-your-seat encounter at Stade Dominique Duvauchelle, Racing 92 edged Harlequins 23-12 in their Investec Champions Cup opener.
Despite being deadlocked at halftime, Racing turned on the afterburners in the second half, scoring 11 unanswered points to break the Quins' resistance.
Harlequins drew first blood with a powerful surge from Alex Dombrandt for an early score, but Racing hit back when Nolann le Garrec converted his own try.
Wame Naituvi then added a second try for Racing with a superb finish, stepping off his wing after sustained pressure.
The turning point came after the break when scrum-half Will Porter’s try levelled the scores at 12-12, but Harlequins was reduced to 14 men when Lennox Anyanwu was sin-binned for a dangerous tip-tackle.
Racing capitalized on the player advantage, as Le Garrec slotted two penalties, the second following a clever cross-field kick from Antoine Gibert to Max Spring for the game-winning try.
Despite a late rally, the Quins were left empty-handed as Racing secured the win.
Harlequins now faces a must-win against South African side the Stormers at Twickenham Stoop next Saturday, while Racing travels to Sale the night before.
Bordeaux-Begles Vs. Leicester Tigers
The Leicester Tigers saw their hopes of a winning start in the European Cup dashed by a devastating second half from Bordeaux Begles, which scored four tries in six minutes to secure a 42-28 victory at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
The Tigers went into the break leading 21-14 after a spirited first-half display.
Harry Wells barged over for the opening score, but soon after, Pete Samu pounced on a spilt ball to score Bordeaux’s first try.
Josh Bassett’s acrobatic effort in the corner was converted by Jamie Shillcock to briefly restore Leicester’s lead, but Bordeaux responded quickly, as Guido Petti exploited a gap in Leicester’s line-out to level the scores.
In the second half, Bordeaux took control with two quick tries from Louis Bielle-Biarry and Samu, putting them ahead.
Bielle-Biarry grabbed his second try under the posts, before Nicolas Depoortere ran in unopposed for Bordeaux’s sixth try.
Leicester managed a late consolation when Izaia Perese scored with the last play of the match, securing a valuable bonus point for the Tigers.
Despite the defeat, Leicester’s debutant Jean-Joussain impressed with a try on his debut, but Bordeaux’s relentless attack was too much to handle.
Bordeaux Begles now looks like a serious contender for the European Cup after an impressive display, while Leicester will need to regroup ahead of their next match against Sharks, who defeated Exeter 39-21 in their opener.
This defeat highlights the need for Leicester to convert pressure into points when hosting the Sharks at Welford Road next Saturday.
Stade Toulousain Vs. Ulster
Champions Cup holder Toulouse delivered a ruthless performance in its European Cup opener, overwhelming Ulster 61-21 at Stade Ernest-Wallon.
The French champions set the tone from the outset, scoring six first-half tries to take a commanding 40-14 lead at the break.
Emmanuel Meafou was at the heart of Toulouse’s attack, scoring twice, while Matthis Lebel, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont and Ange Capuozzo also crossed over.
Despite the early onslaught, Ulster responded with tries from James McCormack and Stewart Moore, demonstrating resilience against the French champions’ attack.
The second half saw Toulouse continue its dominance, as Santiago Chocobares added a seventh try, and Dupont’s brilliant cross-field kick found Capuozzo for an eighth.
Ulster’s Iain Henderson scored a consolation try with 13 minutes left, but Toulouse had the final say with a penalty try awarded in the last play of the match.
Despite a brave performance, Ulster simply was outclassed by the holders, who showed their clinical edge throughout.
Toulouse’s powerful display was too much for the United Rugby Championship side, and the French giants will carry a massive win into their next European Cup match against Exeter.
Meanwhile, Ulster will look to respond when hosting Bordeaux next weekend.
Bristol Bears Vs. Leinster Rugby
Storm Darragh wasn’t the only force to batter Bristol this weekend. Leinster’s dominant performance at Ashton Gate was a red warning to Europe’s elite, as the squad launched its Investec Champions Cup campaign with a commanding 35-12 victory over the Bears.
Sam Prendergast was at the heart of Leinster’s display, converting all six kicks and scoring two tries, while debutant Jordie Barrett also crossed over twice, including a memorable effort from a line-out move.
Jordan Larmour and Josh van der Flier completed the scoring for the visitors, with Barrett adding an assist to his tally.
Bristol managed scores from Max Lahiff and Gabriel Ibitoye, but it was scant reward against a Leinster side that showcased its power and precision.
The home side made a fast start, taking advantage of a howling wind to pose early threats.
However, Leinster’s experienced campaigners soaked up the pressure and struck first with Larmour’s converted try.
With a numerical advantage, thanks to yellow cards for Ronan Kelleher and Max Deegan, Leinster broke the deadlock and never looked back.
Prendergast and Barrett then took control, carving through Bristol’s defence to secure a bonus-point win.
For Bristol, it was a tough start to the competition, but the Bears will hope to bounce back next week when they face Stade Rochelais on the road.
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