2025 Stade Toulousain vs Hollywoodbets Sharks

Investec Champions Cup Favorites? What Antoine Dupont Returning Means

Antoine Dupont is back for Toulouse, which already was among the heavy favorites to win the Champions Cup. Here's what it means for the French rugby giant.

Nov 30, 2025 by Joe Harrington

Investec Champions Cup Favorites? What Antoine Dupont Returning Means

The club that has won the most Investec Champions Cups changed the outlook of the first round of pool play in the final week of November.

Toulouse Rugby, seeking its seventh Champions Cup title — and third this decade — will have Antoine Dupont available for every match of the Investec Champions Cup.

Dupont made his return to the field against Racing 92 in the 11th round of the Top 14 season Nov. 29, when he came off the bench roughly eight months after he tore his ACL in Dublin during France’s Six Nations Championship run.

The No. 2-ranked player in the world in 2025 — and No. 1 in 2024 according to FloRugby — is back for the French juggernaut and defending Top 14 champion, making the club the overwhelming favorite to win it all next year in Spain.

The King of Toulouse has made his return! Arguably the greatest talent in professional rugby makes his return after nearly a year on the sidelines! Welcome back Antoine Dupont 🇫🇷 🔴⚫️#stadetoulousain #antoinedupont pic.twitter.com/ZYJ6fJS5ak
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) November 29, 2025

Dupont was likely to make his return at some point in December, and possibly even during the Champions Cup.

His return a week early likely helps Dupont get himself situated as Toulouse welcomes a possibly loaded Hollywoodbets Sharks team to France on Dec. 7 and then travels to Glasgow, Scotland, to face the Warriors in possibly the hardest venue for away clubs to win in the world.

Here’s what Dupont means for the first two rounds of the Champions Cup:

It’s Toulouse’s To Lose: Cemented As The Investec Champions Cup Favorite

The DHL Stormers, Munster Rugby and Pau all have garnered major momentum entering a tournament that has more or less been dominated by Leinster Rugby and Toulouse in recent years.

With Dupont back, the expectation for Toulouse will be to win it all — and likely have home-field advantage throughout the knockout rounds.

Toulouse vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks Should Be The Most Star-Studded Match Of The Tournament

Antoine Dupont being available against the Sharks means that the Sunday match could feature some of this generation’s best players.

Toulouse will have Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Ange Capuozzo, possibly Thomas Ramos, Blair Kinghorn and more. The Sharks very well could have Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nché, Grant Williams and André Esterhuizen.

Nché was a finalist for the World Rugby Player of the Year. Dupont won that award in 2021.

This match will stream free, as part of the 12 Matches of Christmas presented by World Rugby Shop.

Toulouse Rugby Will Need Him Against The Glasgow Warriors

The Glasgow Warriors have lost just two matches at home over the last two seasons.

The 2024 URC champions have continued to dominate teams in Scotland this season.

While Toulouse without Dupont could be the best club team in the world right now — the team is 7-0-3 in the chaotic Top 14 standings, two points ahead of Pau — Toulouse will need all the firepower it can muster in Scotland.

What About January’s Toulouse Champions Cup Matches?

Similar to the Sharks match, Toulouse’s trip to England to play the Saracens is even more of a must-watch fixture. That game could include all of Toulouse’s stars, but also the likes of Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell, as well as teenage phenom Noah Caluori.

The Round 4 match against the Sale Sharks will be in Toulouse.

Watch Every Investec Champions Cup Round 1 Match For Free

FloRugby will stream every first-round matchup free on FloRugby's YouTube page on Dec. 5, 6 and 7. Subscribe to the channel and don't miss any of the streams.

Bath Rugby vs. Munster Rugby will stream on both FloRugby's YouTube and Facebook for free. The entire competition will stream on FloRugby.

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

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