Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Pool 2 Preview: Here's What To Know
Philip Bendon breaksdown who will win Pool 2 of the Investec Champions Cup, including Leinster Rugby, La Rochelle Rugby, Bath Rugby and more.
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Bath Vs. La Rochelle Kickoff In Round 1
- Round 1: Bath Rugby vs. Stade Rochelais, 3 p.m. ET, Dec 6, 2024, The Rec
When Does Pool 2 Play In The Investec Championship Cup?
Here is the Pool 1 Rugby Champions Cup schedule:
Clermont Vs. Bennetton Kickoff In Round 1
- Round 1: ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Benetton Rugby, 8 a.m. ET, Dec. 7, 2024, Stade Marcel-Michelin
Bristol Vs. Leinster Kickoff In Round 1
- Round 1: Bristol Bears vs. Leinster Rugby, 12:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 8, 2024, Ashton Gate
Bristol Vs. Leinster Kickoff In Round 1
- Round 1: Bristol Bears vs. Leinster Rugby, 12:30 p.m. ET, Dec.8, 2024, Ashton Gate
Benetton Vs. Bath Kickoff In Round 2
- Round 2: Benetton Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, 8 a.m. ET, Dec. 15, 2024, Stadio Monigo
Leinster Vs. Clermont Kickoff In Round 2
- Round 2: Leinster Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, 12:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 14, 2024, Aviva Stadium
La Rochelle Vs. Bristol Kickoff In Round 2
- Round 2: Stade Rochelais vs. Bristol Bears, 3 p.m. ET, Dec. 14, 2024, Stade Marcel Deflandre
La Rochelle Vs. Leinster Kickoff In Round 3
- Round 3: Stade Rochelais vs. Leinster Rugby, 10:15 a.m. ET, Jan. 12, 2025, Stade Marcel Deflandre
Bristol Vs. Benetton Kickoff In Round 3
- Round 3: Bristol Bears vs. Benetton Rugby, 10:15 a.m. ET, Jan. 12, 2025, Ashton Gate
Bath Vs. Clermont Kickoff In Round 3
- Round 3: Bath Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jan.12, 2025, The Rec
Clermont Vs. Bristol Kickoff In Round 4
- Round 4: ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Bristol Bears, 10:15 a.m. ET, Jan. 18, 2025, Stade Marcel-Michelin
Leinster Vs. Bath Kickoff In Round 4
- Round 4: Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jan.18, 2025, Aviva Stadium
Benetton Vs. La Rochelle Kickoff In Round 4
- Round 4: Benetton Rugby vs. Stade Rochelais, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jan. 18, 2025, Stadio Monigo
How To Watch The Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Season In The U.S.?
Every Investec Champions Cup match is streaming live in the United States and Canada on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
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
EPCR Challenge Cup Format
Key points for the 2024-2025 EPCR Challenge Cup:
- A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
- 18 clubs in three 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 knockout stage
- Eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday, May 23
EPCR Challenge 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 EPCR Challenge Cup final – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Friday, May 23
EPCR Challenge Cup Qualifiers
Clubs from the United Rugby Championship, the TOP 14 and the Gallagher Premiership that have not qualified for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup will compete in the 2024-2025 EPCR Challenge Cup.
If not already qualified, the winner of the 2024 EPCR Challenge Cup will secure a place in the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup, replacing the eighth-ranked club in its league.
EPCR Challenge Cup Qualifiers
- UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Ospreys, Emirates Lions, Edinburgh Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Scarlets, Dragons RFC, Zebre Parma
- TOP 14 – Section Paloise, USAP, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Aviron Bayonnais, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, RC Vannes
- GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Gloucester Rugby, Newcastle Falcons
- INVITED – Black Lion, Toyota Cheetahs
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 on Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts 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).
What Are The Investec Champions Cup And EPCR Challenge Cup Pools?
Here are the pools:
Investec Champions Cup:
- Toulouse (Stade Toulousain)
- Bordeaux-Bègles (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
- Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Exeter Chiefs
- Leicester Tigers
- Ulster Rugby
Pool 2:
- Leinster Rugby
- Clermont Auvergne (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
- La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais)
- Bristol Bears
- Benetton Rugby
- Bath Rugby
Pool 3:
- Northampton Saints
- Munster Rugby
- Vodacom Bulls
- Stade Français Paris
- Saracens
- Castres Olympique
Pool 4:
- Glasgow Warriors
- Racing 92
- Sale Sharks
- DHL Stormers
- Toulon (RC Toulon)
- Harlequins
EPCR Challenge Cup
Pool 1:
- Cardiff Rugby
- Connacht Rugby
- Toyota Cheetahs
- Perpignan (USAP)
- Lyon Olympique Universitaire (Lyon O.U.)
- Zebre Parma
Pool 2:
- Montpellier Hérault Rugby
- Pau (Section Paloise)
- Newcastle Falcons
- Dragons RFC
- Emirates Lions
- Ospreys
Pool 3:
- RC Vannes
- Black Lion
- Bayonne (Aviron Bayonnais)
- Scarlets
- Edinburgh Rugby
- Gloucester Rugby
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.