The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup return this Friday with Round 1 of the 2026/27 competitions, and the opening fixtures promise plenty of drama.
URC: Leinster v Cardiff
Leinster host Cardiff at the Laya Arena on Saturday, October 10, at 19:45 UK time (20:45 in Italy and South Africa). The match will be broadcast by TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby.
Earlier, Ospreys and Cardiff met at St. Helen’s Rugby and Cricket Ground on October 31, and Cardiff won 26-0. Three South African teams currently sit in the URC top four.
Canterbury name side for NPC semi-final
Canterbury has named a largely unchanged side for this week’s Hilux NPC semi-final against Taranaki, keeping the group that secured its place in the last four.
Nations Championship squads
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named the All Blacks squad for the Nations Championship Northern Series. He made the selection alongside fellow selectors Sir Graham Henry and senior assistant coach Neil Barnes.
Sione Tuipulotu will once again captain Scotland as they host New Zealand, Australia and Japan in their three home Nations Championship fixtures in November. The Glasgow Warriors centre leads the side.
Fabien Galthie has named his France squad as they prepare to welcome Fiji, South Africa and Argentina on home soil. France currently top the Northern Series table, with an eye on RWC2027.
Queensland lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, formerly known as Lukhan Tui, will play his 50th Test on Saturday. He has been named to start in the second Bledisloe Cup Test at Accor Stadium.
Recent results
Montpellier thrashed Castres Olympique 69-10 at Septeo Stadium on November 1. Pau beat Toulouse 34-14 at Stade du Hameau on the same day, and Rotherham Titans fell 40-21 to Cornish Pirates at Clifton Lane.
On October 31, Northampton Saints beat Gloucester 28-14 at cinch Stadium at Franklins Gardens, Dragons defeated Zebre Parma 35-14 at Rodney Parade, and Sharks beat Munster 15-3 at Thomond Park. Perpignan and RC Toulon were separated by a single point, with Toulon winning 25-24 at Stade Aimé Giral.
Upcoming fixtures
Agen face Biarritz Olympique at Stade Armandie on Thursday, November 5, at 21:00. Romania host Tonga at Arcul de Triumf Stadium on Friday, November 6, at 18:30, and Sale Sharks meet Bristol Bears at CorpAcq Stadium the same evening at 19:45.
Ireland welcome Argentina to the Aviva Stadium on Friday at 20:10. On Saturday, November 7, Italy host South Africa at Allianz Stadium Turin at 12:40, Scotland face New Zealand at Murrayfield at 14:10, Wales take on Japan at the Principality Stadium at 16:40, and France play Fiji at Parc Olympique Lyonnais at 21:10.