2025 Leinster Rugby vs Harlequin F.C.

Investec Champions Cup Countdown: Why Leinster Rugby Can Win It All

Investec Champions Cup Countdown: Why Leinster Rugby Can Win It All

The Investec Champions Cup is 20 days away, and FloRugby makes a case for why each team can win it all. That includes Leinster.

Nov 15, 2025 by Joe Harrington
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The 2025-2026 Investec Champions Cup begins Dec. 5,  and we're just 20 days away from the Sale Sharks hosting the Glasgow Warriors at 3 p.m. ET at CorpAcq Stadium.

The Investec Champions Cup will determine the best team in Europe (and South Africa), as every contender aims to take the title from defending champion Union Bordeaux-Bègles of the Top 14.

But like in the film "The Highlander," there can only be one winner. 

Every club will enter the competition believing it can lift the trophy on May 23, 2026, at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.

That includes Leinster Rugby of the United Rugby Championship. 

Here are three reasons why Leinster Rugby can win the 2025-2026 Investec Champions Cup:

Leinster Has Got To Win It Some Gosh Dang Year, Right?

This is so exhausting, Leo Cullen.

A club team with like 80% (and that's being conservative) of the Irish national team on the squad, plus one of the best Springboks, RG Snyman, and with 13 — THIRTEEN — FloRugby Top 100 players, should not have this much trouble winning this competition.

Leinster isn't having a great URC season so far, but that's mainly because of the British & Irish Lions series and international play eating into the players' availability. 

Leinster should be close to full strength for most of these Champions Cup matches.

The club is two Champions Cup tournament wins away from tying Toulouse for most all time but has have been stuck on four for a while. 

Leinster lost in the final three years in a row. 

Last year, Leinster had 14 FloRugby players, including the No. 6-ranked player in the world, All Blacks star Jordie Barrett, and lost in Dublin to the Northampton Saints.

Given how good Leinster was all year, and that the squad won the URC Grand Final, the Northampton Saints win could be the biggest upset ever.

But you, Leo Cullen — head coach — can stop this madness, and you don't even have to decide whether Jordie Barrett should be on the bench or not — too soon?

Leo Cullen, you can steer this team to an Investec Champions Cup win, you just did this in the URC!

Again: There Are 13 Top 100 Players On This Team. How Do They Not Make Every Final - Ever?

Here are the incredible players who suit up for Leinster Rugby:

  • 4. Dan Sheehan | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 8. Caelan Doris | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 18. Josh van der Flier | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 27. James Lowe | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 29. Jamison Gibson-Park | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 34. RG Snyman | Leinster Rugby | South Africa
  • 37. Hugo Keenan | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 43. Jack Conan | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 47. Garry Ringrose | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 55. Andrew Porter | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 69. James Ryan | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 71. Tadhg Furlong | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  • 94. Joe McCarthy | Leinster Rugby | Ireland

Caelan Doris Is Rounding Back Into Form After Last Year's Injury

Caelan Doris, 27, was the No. 2-ranked player in the 2024 player rankings released that summer. 

He's one of the best players in the world when healthy, and he's starting to regain form. 

He injured his shoulder during that loss to Northampton and likely cost himself the British & Irish Lions captaincy.

He returned to action for Ireland against the All Blacks and should be back in full form for Leinster. 

The No. 8 is one of Leinster's most important players.

Leinster Rugby Investec Champions Cup Pool Play Fixtures

Here's the Leinster Rugby Champions Cup schedule:

Investec Champions Cup Round 1 – Saturday, Dec. 6

  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. Harlequins, Aviva Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Round 2 – Friday, Dec. 12

  • 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Investec Champions Cup Round 3 – Saturday, Jan. 10

  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, Aviva Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Round 4 – Saturday, Jan. 17

  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger

How To Watch Leinster Rugby In The Investec Champions Cup 2025-2026

Every Leinster Rugby match in the Investec Champions Cup streams live in the United States and its territories on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

Investec Champions Cup 2025-2026 Fixtures

Here's a look at each round:

Investec Champions Cup Round 1 

Friday, Dec. 5

  • 3 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Glasgow Warriors, Salford Community Stadium
  • 3 p.m. ET: Bayonne vs. DHL Stormers, Stade Jean Dauger

Saturday, Dec. 6

  • 8 a.m. ET: Saracens vs. Clermont Auvergne, StoneX Stadium
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Loftus Versfeld
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Leicester Tigers, Stade Marcel Deflandre
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. Harlequins, TBD
  • 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Bristol Bears, Parc y Scarlets
  • 3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Munster Rugby, The Rec

Sunday, Dec. 7

  • 8 a.m. ET: Pau vs. Northampton Saints, Stade du Hameau
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Kingsholm

Dec. 7–9 (TBD)

  • Edinburgh Rugby vs. Toulon, TBD

Investec Champions Cup Round 2 

Friday, Dec. 12

  • 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Saturday, Dec. 13

  • 8 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. La Rochelle, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-Michelin
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Scarlets, Stade Chaban-Delmas
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
  • 3 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Toulouse, Scotstoun Stadium

Sunday, Dec. 14

  • 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Bayonne, Twickenham Stoop
  • 8 a.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Vodacom Bulls, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Pau, Ashton Gate

Investec Champions Cup Round 3 

Friday, Jan. 9

  • 3 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
  • 3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBD

Saturday, Jan. 10

  • 8 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus Versfeld
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-Michelin
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBD
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community Stadium
  • 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y Scarlets
  • 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Sunday, Jan. 11

  • 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop
  • 8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-Delmas
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Round 4 

Friday, Jan. 16

  • 3 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stade du Hameau
  • 3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby, The Rec

Saturday, Jan. 17

  • 8 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Leicester Tigers, DHL Stadium
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Thomond Park
  • 3 p.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Toulon, Kingsholm

Sunday, Jan. 18

  • 8 a.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Ashton Gate
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Scarlets, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
  • 10:15 a.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Harlequins, Stade Marcel Deflandre
  • 12:30 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Saracens, Scotstoun Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Fixtures By Pool

Here's a breakdown of the schedule by pool:

Investec Champions Cup Pool 1

Round 1

  • Friday, Dec. 5 – 3 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Glasgow Warriors, Salford Community Stadium
  • Saturday, Dec. 6 – 8 a.m. ET: Saracens vs. Clermont Auvergne, StoneX Stadium
  • Sunday, Dec. 7 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon

Round 2

  • Saturday, Dec. 13 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
  • Saturday, Dec. 13 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-Michelin
  • Saturday, Dec. 13 – 3 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Toulouse, Scotstoun Stadium

Round 3 

  • Saturday, Jan. 10 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-Michelin
  • Saturday, Jan. 10 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community Stadium
  • Sunday, Jan. 11 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX Stadium

Round 4 

  • Saturday, Jan. 17 – 8 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
  • Saturday, Jan. 17 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon
  • Sunday, Jan. 18 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Saracens, Scotstoun Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Pool 2

Round 1 

  • Saturday, Dec. 6 – 3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Munster Rugby, The Rec
  • Sunday, Dec. 7 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Kingsholm
  • Dec. 7–9 (TBD): Edinburgh Rugby vs. Toulon, TBD

Round 2 

  • Saturday, Dec. 13 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
  • Sunday, Dec. 14 – 8 a.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
  • Sunday, Dec. 14 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol

Round 3

  • Friday, Jan. 9 – 3 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
  • Friday, Jan. 9 – 3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBD
  • Sunday, Jan. 11 – 8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol

Round 4 

  • Friday, Jan. 16 – 3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby, The Rec
  • Saturday, Jan. 17 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Thomond Park
  • Saturday, Jan. 17 – 3 p.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Toulon, Kingsholm

Investec Champions Cup Pool 3

Round 1 

  • Friday, Dec. 5 – 3 p.m. ET: Bayonne vs. DHL Stormers, Stade Jean Dauger
  • Saturday, Dec. 6 – 12:30 p.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Leicester Tigers, Stade Marcel Deflandre
  • Saturday, Dec. 6 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. Harlequins, TBD

Round 2 

  • Friday, Dec. 12 – 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
  • Saturday, Dec. 13 – 8 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. La Rochelle, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
  • Sunday, Dec. 14 – 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Bayonne, Twickenham Stoop

Round 3 

  • Saturday, Jan. 10 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBD
  • Saturday, Jan. 10 – 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
  • Sunday, Jan. 11 – 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop

Round 4

  • Saturday, Jan. 17 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger
  • Saturday, Jan. 17 – 10:15 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Leicester Tigers, DHL Stadium
  • Sunday, Jan. 18 – 10:15 a.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Harlequins, Stade Marcel Deflandre

Investec Champions Cup Pool 4

Round 1 

  • Saturday, Dec. 6 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Loftus Versfeld
  • Saturday, Dec. 6 – 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Bristol Bears, Parc y Scarlets
  • Sunday, Dec. 7 – 8 a.m. ET: Pau vs. Northampton Saints, Stade du Hameau

Round 2

  • Saturday, Dec. 13 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Scarlets, Stade Chaban-Delmas
  • Sunday, Dec. 14 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Vodacom Bulls, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
  • Sunday, Dec. 14 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Pau, Ashton Gate

Round 3 

  • Saturday, Jan. 10 – 8 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus Versfeld
  • Saturday, Jan. 10 – 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y Scarlets
  • Sunday, Jan. 11 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-Delmas

Round 4

  • Friday, Jan. 16 – 3 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stade du Hameau
  • Sunday, Jan. 18 – 8 a.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Ashton Gate
  • Sunday, Jan. 18 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Scarlets, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

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