Champions Cup 2025/26: How each pool is shaping up going into the final round

That format leaves plenty to play for as every point, bonus and result could reshape the standings before the knockout phase begins now.

This pool has been blown wide open by Toulouse’s disappointing defeats to Glasgow Warriors and Saracens, leaving them in danger of elimination. They currently sit fourth on six points, just one ahead of the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and must secure a home victory over Sale Sharks this weekend to guarantee progression to the round of 16. Sale are second with 11 points, trailing only unbeaten Glasgow, who have a perfect 15 from 15.

Saracens lie between Sale and Toulouse on 10 points after an impressive win over Toulouse at the StoneX. Clermont remain bottom with zero points; their only route forward is a final-day victory combined with a 22-point swing over the Sharks to claim a Challenge Cup place. The French side travel to Durban, where a bonus-point win by at least 12 points would be enough, provided the Sharks fail to collect a bonus point.

Glasgow host Saracens in the final pool match, with Sarries able to top the group with a bonus-point win, as long as Glasgow do not secure one themselves. Otherwise, Warriors will win this pool and secure a home draw in the knockouts until at least the semi-finals.

This is the tightest pool of the lot, with every team still in contention and multiple possible finishing positions. Bath have already qualified on 11 points, with Edinburgh second on 10 and Toulon close behind on nine. The remaining three sides each have one win: Gloucester are on six points, while Munster and Castres sit on five.

Munster host Castres knowing that victory is essential, ideally with a bonus point, as Toulon and Gloucester meet at Kingsholm. A Gloucester win combined with a Toulon bonus point would mean Munster—or Castres—would need a full five-point haul to advance.

At the top, Bath and Edinburgh go head-to-head at The Rec, with Edinburgh aware that Toulon are lurking close behind and that a win in Bath would secure first place. With so many permutations in play, this pool is set for a dramatic finale.

There is a clear hierarchy in this pool, and it seems unlikely to change dramatically in the final round. Leinster lead with an almost-perfect 14 points, followed by Harlequins on 10 and Stormers close behind on nine. La Rochelle sit fourth on six, with Leicester Tigers in the Challenge Cup place on five, and Bayonne bottom with no points.

With Bayonne having little to play for and facing a tough home test against Leinster, the Irish side are expected to prevail. La Rochelle’s meeting with Quins is a pivotal one, as a bonus-point win would see them leapfrog the visitors.

Meanwhile, Stormers host Leicester in Cape Town in a fixture that looks favourable for the home side, given the travel involved and Tigers’ apparent focus on securing a Challenge Cup berth. The key question is whether Quins can cling to second place, or if La Rochelle and Stormers will overhaul them.

This pool is clearly split in two, with three teams performing strongly and three struggling. However, with four places available in the round of 16, there is still plenty at stake as three sides battle for the final qualification spot.

At the top, Bordeaux and Bristol Bears are level on 14 points and only two points difference separating them, with Northampton Saints third on 10. In the lower half, Pau lead the chasing pack with one win and five points, while Scarlets and the Vodacom Bulls remain winless but have picked up two bonus points each.

Pau host the Bulls, and should the South African side spring a surprise in France, they would be well placed to qualify, particularly with Scarlets facing a difficult trip to Northampton. Saints, meanwhile, may have their sights set on second place, as leaders Bordeaux and Bristol meet at Ashton Gate in a head-to-head showdown for top spot.