Investec Champions Cup: Full Recap Round 2 - Toulouse stunned by fiery Glasgow comeback

Monday, 15 December 2025 at 11:17

byTom Sansom

That's a wrap on the second round of the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup, with another blistering weekend in the books from the world's pinnacle club rugby competition. 12 festive firecrackers were delivered across the competition, with stunning upsets, one-way landslides and knife-edge nail-biters all witnessed this past weekend.

FULL RECAP: INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP POOL STAGE (ROUND 2)

LEICESTER TIGERS 15 - 23 LEINSTER RUGBY

Leinster claw back to beat Leicester Tigers

Leinster Rugby

@leinsterrugby

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A second-half shutout sees us take the W! 🙌🔥 #LEIvLEI #NeverLessThanEverything

9:55 PM · Dec 12, 2025

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Leinster came from nine points down at half-time to claim a 23-15 victory over Leicester Tigers in Pool Three of the Investec Champions Cup at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Leicester dominated the opening 40 minutes, with Adam Radwan scoring a sensational length-of-the-field try after pouncing on a loose ball, and Ollie Hassell-Collins adding a second before the break. Billy Searle’s conversion and penalty saw the Tigers lead 15-6 at half-time.

Despite losing flanker Jack Conan and full-back Jimmy O’Brien early, Leinster gradually imposed themselves. Jamison Gibson-Park scored the visitors’ first try shortly after the interval, followed by a successful conversion and penalty from Harry Byrne. Replacement hooker Dan Sheehan finished a line-out drive to secure the win. Leinster scored 17 unanswered points in the second half, consolidating their position atop Pool Three, while Leicester will need to regroup after two opening defeats.

LEICESTER TIGERS: 15
TRIES: Radwan, Hassell-Collins
CONVERSIONS: Searle
PENALTIES: Searle

LEINSTER: 23
TRIES: Gibson-Park, Sheehan
CONVERSIONS: Byrne, Prendergast
PENALTIES: Byrne (3)

DHL STORMERS 42 - 21 LA ROCHELLE

Sacha stars once again as Stormers overpower La Rochelle in Cape Town

The Cape Town Stormers produced a commanding 42-21 win over La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup, bouncing back from a slow start to dominate the second half.

The visitors struck first through Quentin Lespiaucq-Brettes’ try, but the Stormers responded immediately with early scores from flying wings Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas, giving them a 16-7 lead at the interval. In-form Springboks fly half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu added two penalties to extend the advantage.

After the break, the Stormers’ forwards and backs combined brilliantly. Andre-Hugo Venter crossed for a try, followed by Maart picking up his brace and Warrick Gelant finishing slick moves. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted three of the four second-half tries, while Niko Sutidze and Nathan Bollengier touched down for La Rochelle, with Diego Jurd adding the conversions.

Marcel Theunissen sealed the bonus-point victory in the 71st minute for the Stormers’, who's powerful running game and clinical finishing secured a vital pool-stage win, leaving Ronan O'Gara and his La Rochelle to rue defensive lapses against the unbeaten URC leaders.

CAPE TOWN STORMERS: 42
TRIES: Maart 2, Zas, Venter, Gelant, Theunissen
CONVERSIONS: Mngomezulu 3
PENALTIES: Mngomezulu 2

LA ROCHELLE: 21
TRIES: Lespiaucq-Brettes, Sutidze, Bollengier
CONVERSIONS: Jurd 3

CLERMONT AUVERGNE 14 - 35 SALE SHARKS

Sharks sink teeth into Clermont for glory in France

Sale Sharks produced a commanding 35-14 win over Clermont Auvergne in Pool One of the Investec Champions Cup, securing a crucial bonus-point victory to boost their qualification hopes.

The visitors started quickly, with Tom O’Flaherty crossing inside two minutes. Clermont responded through Yerim Fall, but Marius Louw and Arron Reed stretched Sale’s lead to 20-7 by half-time. Reed was yellow-carded early in the second half for head-to-head contact, and Lucas Zamora scored for Clermont while Sale were down to 14 men, narrowing the margin to six points.

Sale then regained control, capitalising on Clermont errors and finishing clinical moves. Debutant Joe Bedlow scored to secure the try bonus, while Alex Wills rounded off the scoring with a fine finish. Rob du Preez and Raffi Quirke orchestrated much of the attacking play, combining precision passing and clever support lines. Sale’s defence held firm under pressure, keeping Clermont from closing the gap and earning a vital pool-stage triumph.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE: 14
TRIES: Fall, Zamora
CONVERSIONS: Bezy, Zamora

SALE SHARKS: 35
TRIES: O’Flaherty, Louw, Reed, Bedlow, Wills
CONVERSIONS: Du Preez 2
PENALTIES: Du Preez 2

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS 28 - 23 SARACENS

Sharks edge Saracens in rain-soaked Durban thriller

The Sharks claimed a thrilling 28-23 victory over Saracens in Pool Three of the Investec Champions Cup at Kings Park, securing their first win in the competition under new head coach JP Pietersen.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi opened the scoring with an early try, but Saracens responded through hooker Theo Dan and Sam Spink, with Fergus Burke adding a penalty to give the visitors a 15-7 lead. Aphelele Fassi’s try, aided by Andre Esterhuizen’s powerful run, cut the deficit, and a late tackle by Saracens captain Andy Onyeama-Christie allowed Edwill van der Merwe to score in the corner, giving the Sharks a 21-15 advantage at the break.

In the second half, Kolisi’s influence continued as Grant Williams sprinted over to extend the lead. Despite Tom Willis touching down for Saracens, the visitors could not overcome the hosts’ dominant forward play and tactical kicking in the closing stages. The Sharks’ cohesion and clinical finishing ensured a crucial pool-stage win, while Saracens earned a losing bonus point despite a strong fightback.

SHARKS: 28
TRIES: Kolisi, Fassi, Van der Merwe, Williams
CONVERSIONS: Whitehead 4

SARACENS: 23
TRIES: Dan, Spink, Willis
CONVERSIONS: Burke
PENALTIES: Burke 2

UNION BORDEAUX BEGLES 50 - 21 SCARLETS

Bordeaux-Begles drop the hammer on Scarlets in eight-try rout

Bordeaux-Begles maintained their Champions Cup momentum with a dominant 50-21 win over Scarlets in Pool 4 at Stade Chaban-Delmas. Scarlets started brightly, with Fletcher Anderson crashing over from a quick-tap penalty to give the visitors an early lead. However, Bordeaux quickly asserted themselves, Matthieu Jalibert scoring two first-half tries while Jefferson Poirot and Gaëtan Barlot added to the tally. Tiaan Jacobs and Louis Bielle-Biarrey also crossed before the break, giving the hosts a 38-14 advantage.

Scarlets showed resilience, with Henry Thomas and Anderson again touching down, but Bordeaux’s clinical finishing and attacking cohesion proved decisive. Pablo Uberti and Xan Mousques added late scores, Bielle-Biarrey capping the rout as Joey Carbery’s conversion took the hosts to 50 points. Bordeaux’s bench contributed to maintaining intensity, while Scarlets, reduced to 14 players following a sin-bin, could not mount a comeback. The win keeps Bordeaux top of Pool 4, highlighting their attacking depth and European pedigree.

BORDEAUX-BEGLES: 50
TRIES: Jalibert 2, Poirot, Barlot, Jacobs, Uberti, Mousques, Bielle-Biarrey
CONVERSIONS: Jalibert 3, Carbery 2

SCARLETS: 21
TRIES: Anderson 2, Thomas
CONVERSIONS: Hawkins 2, Costelow

MUNSTER RUGBY 31 - 3 GLOUCESTER RUGBY

Munster defeat Gloucester in Cork cracker to claim bonus-point victory

Munster bounced back from an opening-round defeat with a commanding 31-3 bonus-point win over Gloucester in Pool Two of the Investec Champions Cup. The hosts were held at bay early, with George Barton’s penalty giving Gloucester a 3-0 lead, but Munster soon responded through Dan Kelly following a clever offload from Mike Haley.

The Cherry and Whites showed resilience, but disciplinary lapses proved costly. Prop Jamal Ford-Robinson’s yellow card allowed Munster to press for points, and Haley scored again early in the second half. When Gloucester’s Caio James was sin-binned, Munster seized control, with Ruadhan Quinn, Tom Farrell, and captain Tadhg Beirne crossing in quick succession to seal the bonus-point win. Munster’s pressure and clinical finishing in the final quarter highlighted their attacking depth and European experience, while Gloucester were unable to convert their strong defensive display into points. The win puts Munster back on track in Pool Two and sets up a pivotal clash in their next fixture.

MUNSTER: 31
TRIES: Kelly, Haley, Quinn, Farrell, Beirne
CONVERSIONS: Crowley 3

GLOUCESTER: 3
PENALTIES: Barton

GLASGOW WARRIORS 28 - 21 STADE TOULOUSAIN

Glasgow Warriors complete stunning comeback to stun Toulouse

Glasgow Warriors produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in Champions Cup history, overturning a 21-0 half-time deficit to defeat Toulouse 28-21 at Scotstoun. The French side, powered by Antoine Dupont and Kalvin Gourgues, dominated the first half, with Dupont’s opener and Gourgues’ double giving Toulouse a seemingly unassailable lead.

In the second half, Glasgow re-emerged with intensity and precision. Josh McKay sparked the revival with a try down the touchline, followed by Gregor Brown and Sione Tuipulotu crossing to level the score. A rolling maul finished by Gregor Hiddleston secured the lead for the first time, completing a remarkable 28-0 second-half performance. Adam Hastings converted all four tries to cap the comeback.

The Warriors’ ability to maintain composure under pressure, coupled with relentless forward play and opportunistic finishing, left the six-time champions stunned. The victory marks a signature European night for Glasgow and demonstrates their resilience and tactical acumen against one of France’s most formidable sides.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: 28
TRIES: McKay, Brown, Tuipulotu, Hiddleston
CONVERSIONS: Hastings 4

TOULOUSE: 21
TRIES: Dupont, Gourgues 2
CONVERSIONS: Ramos 3

HARLEQUINS 68 - 14 AVIRON BAYONNAIS

Harlequins run rampant with 10-try rout of Bayonne

Harlequins produced a dominant performance at Twickenham Stoop, scoring 10 tries to overwhelm Bayonne 68-14 in the Investec Champions Cup. After a slow start, Quins opened the scoring through captain Cadan Murley from a Marcus Smith kick, before Kieran Treadwell, Fin Baxter, and Pedro Delgado added first-half tries to secure a bonus-point lead by the break.

The second half saw the floodgates open further. Will Porter and Sam Riley both scored twice, while Treadwell and Jamie Benson added the remaining tries. Smith converted nine of his 10 attempts, contributing 18 points and providing incisive kicking to create the opening two scores.

Bayonne managed two tries through Lucas Paulos and Spring, but discipline issues and a yellow card to Will Evans allowed Quins to dominate possession and territory. The home side’s relentless pressure and creative backline play ensured they left Twickenham with a statement win, while Bayonne’s supporters enjoyed the spectacle despite the heavy defeat.

HARLEQUINS: 68
TRIES: Murley, Treadwell 2, Baxter, Delgado, Porter 2, Riley 2, Benson
CONVERSIONS: Smith 9

BAYONNE: 14
TRIES: Paulos, Spring
CONVERSIONS: Spring 2

CASTRES OLIMPIQUE 33 - 0 EDINBURGH RUGBY

Castres overpower Edinburgh in dominant Champions Cup display

Castres produced a clinical performance to dispatch a heavily rotated Edinburgh side 33-0 in Pool Two of the Investec Champions Cup. Edinburgh made 11 changes from last week’s victory over Toulon, prioritising the 1872 Cup fixtures, but the rotation proved costly against a sharp and organised Castres team.

Edinburgh had early possession but failed to convert it into points. Christian Ambadiang opened the scoring in the corner after a defensive error, giving Castres a 5-0 lead at half-time. The second half saw the hosts take complete control, with Loris Zarantonello, Tyler Ardron, Adam Vargas, and Vilimoni Botitu all crossing for tries. Edinburgh were further handicapped by a yellow card to Piers O’Conor, and a late potential score from hooker Ewan Ashman was ruled out for a knock-on.

Castres’ forward dominance and relentless pressure left Edinburgh unable to score, leaving the visitors still seeking their first points of the campaign. The French side remain undefeated in Pool Two, while Edinburgh will hope to regroup for their upcoming derbies against Glasgow Warriors.

CASTRES: 33
TRIES: Ambadiang, Zarantonello, Ardron, Vargas, Botitu
CONVERSIONS: Popelin 4

EDINBURGH: 0

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 50 - 5 VODACOM BULLS

Northampton Saints blitz past Bulls to keep perfect start

Northampton Saints produced a second consecutive bonus-point win in the Investec Champions Cup, thrashing Pretoria Bulls 50-5 at Franklin’s Gardens. The Saints led 14-5 at half-time, with early scores from Henry Pollock and Ollie Sleightholme keeping the visitors in touch.

The contest turned decisively in the second half when George Hendy scored a hat-trick, capitalising on a yellow card to Bulls prop Alulutho Tshakweni. Saints’ dominance in possession and territory saw them pile on five further tries, including scores from Pollock, Alex Coles, Sleightholme, and Josh Kemeny. Fly-half Fin Smith kicked five conversions to total 10 points and orchestrated the attack with clever kicking and distribution.

Pretoria Bulls’ only try came via Stravino Jacobs in the first half, but Northampton’s relentless pressure ensured the visitors could not add to their tally. The result moves Saints to the top of Pool Four on points difference alongside holders Bordeaux, maintaining their perfect start to the competition and reinforcing their ambitions after last year’s runner-up finish.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS: 50
TRIES: Sleightholme 2, Hendy 3, Pollock, Coles, Kemeny
CONVERSIONS: Smith 5

PRETORIA BULLS: 5
TRIES: Jacobs

RC TOULON 45 - 34 BATH RUGBY

Toulon outgun Bath in nine-try thriller

Toulon secured a 45-34 victory over Bath in a thrilling Champions Cup clash at Stade Mayol, with both sides combining for nine tries in an end-to-end encounter. The French side led 18-13 at half-time after early scores from Brian Alainu’uese and Juan Ignacio Brex, with Bath’s Ted Hill responding to keep the game close.

In the second half, Toulon’s pack dominated, producing tries from Gael Drean, Lewis Ludlam, and Teddy Baubigny to take control. Bath fought back through Santiago Carreras and Louie Hennessey, keeping the deficit to eight points at 38-30 before Baubigny’s late finish in stoppage time sealed the win. Max Ojomoh and replacements contributed to Bath’s spirited display, which earned them a bonus point.

Toulon’s fly-half Mateo Garcia was key with four penalties and four conversions, combining with the forwards’ power to earn maximum points. Bath remain competitive in Pool Two, but Toulon’s clinical finishing and set-piece dominance under Johann van Graan ensured they stay unbeaten with two bonus points from two matches.

TOULON: 45
TRIES: Alainu’uese, Brex, Drean, Ludlam, Baubigny
CONVERSIONS: Garcia 4
PENALTIES: Garcia 4

BATH: 34
TRIES: Hill, Carreras, Green, Hennessey
CONVERSIONS: Russell 4
PENALTIES: Russell 2

BRISTOL BEARS 61 - 12 SECTION PALOISE

Bristol Bears storm past Pau with nine-try rout

Bristol Bears claimed a commanding 61-12 Champions Cup win over Pau at Ashton Gate, scoring nine tries in a dominant display. England prop Ellis Genge set the tone with a try inside the first minute, followed by Ben Grondona, Kieran Marmion, Kalaveti Ravouvou, and Gabriel Oghre as Bristol secured a bonus-point lead by half-time.

The second half saw the Bears continue their relentless attack, with Janse van Rensburg, Joe Batley, Aidan Boshoff, and Santiago Grondona adding further scores. Fly-half Tom Jordan was flawless off the tee, converting eight of nine attempts. Pau’s only points came from two tries by young centre Fabien Brau-Boirie, both converted by Mondinat, as they were overrun by Bristol’s pace and precision.

The victory puts Bristol third in Pool Four with two wins from two, just behind Northampton Saints and Bordeaux Begles. Pau, missing several key players, remain bottom of the group after consecutive defeats, struggling to contain the Bears’ width and power. Bristol’s ruthless performance underlined their credentials as serious contenders in the pool stage.

BRISTOL BEARS: 61
TRIES: Genge, B Grondona, Marmion, Ravouvou, Oghre, Janse van Rensburg, Batley, Boshoff, S Grondona
CONVERSIONS: Jordan 8

PAU: 12
TRIES: Brau-Boirie 2
CONVERSIONS: Mondinat 2