The 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup are set to ignite with a stellar line-up, and a new format designed to remove any 'dead rubber' clashes from the competition.

We've taken on the monstrous task of predicting the entire Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in full, with our expected pool stage results, tournament trees and title winners outlined in this feature.

The old crystal ball was working overtime for this piece, as we scanned the incoming matches across England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, France and even South Africa, to compile our predictions for the season to come.

So, without any further ado, here's how we think the following season of European rugby will pan out.

Lets dive straight into the pools, with the revamped format of the competition bringing a fresh feeling of jeopardy to the incoming campaign. The Champions Cup features four pools of six teams, however there will only be four rounds of pool stage action, making every moment count from the word go.

There are some seriously heavyweight contenders in this year's competition, and we're backing four familiar European powerhouses to lead the way in their respective pools.

Leinster's consistency at this level makes them an obvious contender, while Toulouse possess the individual brilliance and attacking variety to trouble just about any defence in Europe.

As back-to-back defending champions, Bordeaux-Bègles have established themselves among the continent's elite, and Northampton Saints have the attacking ambition for another long run in Europe.

We predict the quartet of Leinster, Toulouse, Bordeaux-Begles and Northampton Saints to take the top spots from their respective pools, and bag the favourable home tie for the Round of 16.

The top three ranked clubs from each pool receive automatic qualification for the knock-out rounds, and we can see the following 12 sides in the mix for the Champions Cup round of 16.

Pool 1: Leinster (1st), Glasgow Warriors (2nd), Leicester Tigers (3rd)

Pool 2: Toulouse (1st), Saracens (2nd), Exeter Chiefs (3rd)

Pool 3: Bordeaux-Begles (1st), DHL Stormers (2nd), Munster (3rd)

Pool 4: Northampton Saints (1st), Bath (2nd), Vodacom Bulls (4th)

Then there is the exciting 'Wildcard' element, as four next best ranked sides across the entire pool stage qualify for the round of 16. We predict the four wildcards to be:

Champions Cup Wildcards: Gloucester, Bristol Bears, Cardiff and La Rochelle

The EPCR Challenge Cup also provides a second chance for the following four best ranked teams that fall outside of the Qualification and Wildcard spots. We predict the following four sides to drop down into the Challenge Cup for the Round of 16:

Challenge Cup Drop Downs: Connacht, Pau, Montpellier, Sale Sharks

Leinster's three successive final defeats have raised questions, but their 40-13 quarter-final demolition of La Rochelle in 2024 showed what happens when their forwards dominate. Glasgow's URC-winning pedigree makes them credible runners-up, while Leicester's set-piece should secure third.

Toulouse's 31-22 extra-time victory over Leinster in the 2024 final remains the benchmark for their European composure. Saracens' three Champions Cup titles make second place a plausible result upon their own European resurgence, while Exeter's 2020 triumph proves they can too compete when hitting their very best form.

Defending back-to-back champions Bordeaux are convincing favourites, who are out to build upon their 41-19 demolition of Leinster in the 2026 final with another deep run in Europe. The Stormers' brash attacking style should earn second, while historic European heavyweights Munster could scrape third above a form-finding Gloucester.

Northampton's 2025 final defeat to Bordeaux showed they can reach the biggest stage, but Bath's attacking ambition makes them serious rivals for the top spot. The Bulls' South African power should secure third, although their ability to travel well will be decisive in the pools.

2. BATH

4. CARDIFF

The knockout stages are where the Champions Cup's leading clubs must demonstrate that their pool-stage performances can translate into results under pressure.

We expect Leinster, Toulouse, Bordeaux-Bègles and Northampton to progress comfortably, but the remaining ties offer several opportunities for upsets.

The difference between winning and losing can be a single breakdown penalty, a missed kick or one defensive lapse, and the predicted scores reflect those contrasting levels of certainty.

Leinster's forward control and Gibson-Park's quick service should expose Bristol's defensive spacing. If Doris wins the gain line, Leinster's backs could turn sustained pressure into a comfortable victory.

Dupont's speed around the ruck should stretch Cardiff's defensive line, creating opportunities for Ramos and Toulouse's dangerous finishers. Cardiff must slow possession, but sustaining that defensive effort for 80 minutes looks unlikely.

Bordeaux's 2026 final demolition of Leinster demonstrated their ability to turn quick ball into tries. Gloucester's revamped squad with Jac Morgan and co must disrupt Jalibert's distribution, but Bordeaux's finishing quality should prove decisive.

La Rochelle's power through the forwards could trouble Saints, but Northampton's crux of England stars should force their larger opponents to defend across the pitch. Fin Smith's distribution gives Saints the attacking edge, with Henry Pollock out to take the headlines.

Leicester's scrum and maul should keep them competitive in this gritty one for the rugby purists, but Glasgow's breakdown pressure can disrupt their attacking platforms. We expect the Warriors to edge a low-scoring contest through territorial control and steely forward drives.

Finn Russell's ability to manipulate defensive lines gives Bath an attacking advantage, especially with Jack Crowley not expected to feature for Munster until later in the season. Bath take the win, provided their forwards secure quick ball. Munster target the breakdown, but Bath's creativity takes the win.

Exeter must prevent Saracens from controlling territory through Owen Farrell's kicking game. If their forwards generate sustained pressure and disrupt Saracens' set-piece, an upset is possible. We predict a narrow Exeter victory and a round of 16 shock akin to their epic end-of-season PREM encounter.

The Bulls will target the gain line, but the Stormers' ability to attack from turnovers should create scoring opportunities. We expect a high-scoring South African derby, decided by late defensive pressure or a moment of magic from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Toulouse's attacking variety should overwhelm Exeter if Dupont dictates the tempo. Exeter need to dominate the set-piece and slow possession, but Toulouse's ability to exploit broken-field opportunities gives them a clear advantage.

We expect the French side to pull away after the break, with Ramos controlling territory and converting pressure into points.

Finn Russell can challenge Bordeaux's defensive structure through clever passing and tactical kicking, but the French side possess greater finishing threat through Penaud and Bielle-Biarrey.

Bath must avoid turnovers in midfield, where Bordeaux are particularly dangerous. We predict a narrow Bordeaux victory in a breathless Champions cup tie, with the title holders taking home the tense win.

The Stormers' carrying game will test Leinster's defensive organisation, particularly around the fringes. However, Leinster's bruising forward pack will have their work cut out at at the breakdown, to allow Gibson-Park to dictate the pace against the enigmatic Cape Towners.

If Leinster maintain lineout accuracy and prevent the Stormers from generating quick ball, their structured attack should gradually create separation on the scoreboard.

The breakdown battle is decisive in this clash of England and Scotland's finest. Glasgow's pressure could disrupt Saints' attacking rhythm, but Northampton's home advantage and Fin Smith's ability to vary the point of attack give them a slight edge.

We predict a tense finish, with Tommy Freeman on hand to find one final scoring chance against a tiring defensive line.

Bordeaux's attacking firepower makes them capable of matching Toulouse try for try in this French firecracker of a derby, particularly if Jalibert can release Penaud and Bielle-Biarrey into space.

Toulouse, however, have Dupont's ability to create opportunities from broken play and Ramos's tactical control.

We expect Bordeaux to challenge throughout, but Toulouse's experience in close European knockout matches gives them the edge in a one-point thriller. The defending champions will be sent packing, after an evening of high drama in the Occitane Region.

Much like their Croke Park classic from a couple seasons ago, Northampton's attacking ambition could trouble Leinster in Dublin, as Henry Pollock would only love to get another famous win under his belt.

However, it would be unlikely for lightning to strike twice in the Irish capital, with Leinster revered forward depth and breakdown strength should gradually restrict Saints' possession. The secret is out on the Saints' young guns, with the historic European heavyweights clued in on what to expect.

We anticipate Leinster being able to absorb the early pressure before pulling clear in the second half. The hoodoo of their previous defeat to the East Midlanders would be wiped from their record, as all eyes turn to a show-down with the standard-setters of European rugby.

Leinster's route to a fifth European crown depends on learning from three consecutive final defeats. Bordeaux exposed their defensive weaknesses in 2026, scoring five tries despite having just 42% possession, while Toulouse have previously punished Leinster through Antoine Dupont's ability to turn turnovers into immediate attacks.

Leinster must therefore improve their defensive spacing without sacrificing the breakdown pressure that allows Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier to dominate the contact area. If Jamison Gibson-Park can dictate the tempo and keep Toulouse defending successive phases, the Dubliners have the means to force errors from a side that thrives on broken-field rugby.

We predict a tighter, more controlled final than their previous meetings, with Leinster's forward platform and kicking game securing a four-point victory and a long overdue fifth European star.

Onto the EPCR Challenge Cup now, and there is a similar format in place across the pool stages of the second tier of European club rugby. However, whilst the Champions Cup has four pools, there are only three groups of six sides up and running in the Challenge Cup.

Once again, two clubs have been invited to join the Challenge Cup , with the Toyota Cheetahs of South Africa and Georgia's Black Lion back to mix it up with the established European sides.

We expect the winners of the three pools to be Ulster, the Hollywoodbets Sharks and RC Toulon, with automatic qualification secured for the top three finishing clubs of their respective pools. A breakdown of the predicted standings sees an exciting line-up ahead of the Challenge Cup knock-out stages.

Pool 1: Ulster (1st), Bayonne (2nd), Dragons (3rd)

Pool 2: Hollywoodbets Sharks (1st), Benneton (2nd) Newcastle Red Bulls (3rd)

Pool 3: RC Toulon (1st) Edinburgh (2nd), Ospreys (3rd).

However, the wildcard rule is also in affect across the Challenge Cup, which sees the three best clubs ranked outside of the automatic qualification places progress by the skin of their teeth. Harlequins just grab a place in the knock-outs, along with URC and Top 14 counterparts.

Challenge Cup Wildcards: Harlequins, Zebre, Lyon

Champions Cup Drop Downs: Connacht, Pau, Montpellier, Sale Sharks

Ulster reached the 2026 final before losing 59-26 to Montpellier, and the Belfast side will be determined to start a fresh Challenge Cup campaign on the right foot. They should still have enough quality to top this pool, with Bayonne's home form and the Dragons' steely determination likely to decide the remaining automatic places.

The Sharks won the 2024 Challenge Cup final 36-22 against Gloucester, demonstrating their ability to turn forward dominance into points as the first South African side to win European silverware. Benetton's ever-improving URC form makes them credible runners-up, while Newcastle's vastly changed squad must prove that the Red Bulls' mass investment was worth it on the European stage.

Toulon's three consecutive Champions Cup titles from 2013 to 2015 make them the pool's most decorated club, as the French side are the favourites for top spot. Edinburgh's structured and gritty approach should secure second, while the Ospreys' physicality gives them a strong chance of third over an unpredictable Harlequins side in search of consistency.

The Sharks' forward power should establish a platform for their attack, forcing Connacht into repeated defensive sets. Connacht need turnovers to compete, with Sean Jansen needed at his best to trouble the Springbok-laden Sharks pack, as sustained pressure favours the South Africans.

Montpellier overwhelmed Ulster in the 2026 final, but we see a different tale of the tape this time around. Ulster must defend the driving maul more effectively and improve their discipline to prevent another French victory, with a revamped attacking unit under Mark Sexton and Richie Murphy out to right the wrongs of last season's collapse.

Toulon's experience of European knockout rugby should help them manage territory and pressure. Pau can threaten through their backline, but Toulon's forward control gives them a narrow advantage. We expect this french derby to go the way of the multi-time European champions.

Dropping down from the Champions Cup pools, we can see Sale Sharks becoming a big fish in the smaller Challenge Cup pond. They will start by ousting Edinburgh from the fray, much to the chagrin of the improving Scottish side. If George Ford controls the territory, Edinburgh would struggle to generate enough possession to exploit their attacking strengths.

Harlequins' attacking width should stretch Benetton's defensive line, creating opportunities for their outside backs. After scraping into the wildcards, Harlequins would be bouyed to overcome Benetton with Marcus Smith out to lead a fast-paced fight in the famous quarters.

Lyon's 2022 Challenge Cup triumph gives them valuable knockout experience, but Bayonne's home advantage could be decisive against a side that has since slipped down the French pecking order. We expect a physical contest, settled by territory and disciplined goal-kicking in this all-French affair.

The Ospreys should target Zebre through their forward pack, using grizzled Welsh set-piece pressure to create close-range scoring opportunities against the high-flying Italians. If they dominate possession, Zebre's counter-attacking threat will be limited.

With millionaire backers expecting nothing short of a win, Newcastle's new-look team would bring the power to extinguish the Dragon's fire. With the likes of former All Black Hoskins Sotutu rounding off a new-look pack, Newcastle's territorial control could decide the final exchanges.

After a famous win in Newport to signal a new era of Newcastle rugby, Durban would then mark the end of the road for the Red Bulls in Europe. The Sharks' physical carrying would force Newcastle into repeated defensive sets, as the defensive line begins to tire.

Sustained pressure near their own line will be difficult to withstand, with the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche and Vincent Koch eager to power home from close range. We expect the South Africans to pull clear after half-time.

The Ospreys offer a different challenge to that of Ulster's revenge-fueled win over Montpellier. Ulster should look to secure their lineout, control territory and avoid conceding penalties around the breakdown against the Swansea side, in what would be a classic back-and-forth ding-dong between the Celtic cousins. This match could only take place under the sleet-coated floodlights of a bitingly cold Affidea stadium, and we can see Ulster toughing out the elements for a jubiliant home win.

From the frozen north to a tepid clash in France, Toulon would take their next step towards the Challenge Cup silverware with a hard-fought win over Bayonne. Toulon's experience of winning major European matches gives them a historical edge.

Having used up the last of their nine lives to reach the quarter-finals, Harlequins' European dream comes to an end courtesy of the bolstered Sale Sharks. Courtney Lawes, Nicky Smith and Joe Marchant will bring veteran experience to this do-or-die clash, and we foresee Quins running out of steam and falling to the metronomic kicking of England fly half George Ford.

This match would speak volumes of the growth of rugby in the North of Ireland. There is a very real possibility of Ulster going down to Durban and bagging the away win for a return to the Challenge Cup Final.

The Sharks will look to dominate the collisions, and play into the hostile home atmosphere of the Shark Tank of Kings Park. Ulster would have a crucial week to acclimatise, and must avoid repeating the defensive errors that contributed to their final defeat to Montpellier in 2026.

The key is preventing the Sharks from building momentum through successive carries and driving mauls. If Ulster maintain their lineout accuracy and force the South Africans to attack from deep, they can exploit space out wide.

We predict Ulster to manage the closing stages more effectively and secure their place in the final, with their big-name players Stuart McCloskey and Robert Baloucoune needed to be at their very best.

The famous away wins keep on coming in our predicted Challenge Cup semi-finals, as we can see a genuine case for Sale to take the win back home from the South of France.

Whilst the Sharks are relative newcomers to extended runs in Europe, Alex Sanderson's men have a formidable extra bite this season. A Champions Cup pool stage elimination could be a blessing in disguise for the men from Manchester, with Ford out to lead his men to the European mountain top.

Toulon's European history makes them dangerous, but Sale's direct approach could disrupt their attacking rhythm. Sale will target the gain line, use Ford's kicking to control territory and force Toulon to defend repeated phases.

The French side's best chance is to exploit turnovers and create opportunities for their outside backs, but Sale should have enough forward power to limit those opportunities. We predict Sale to win by eight points and reach the final.

Ulster's 59-26 defeat to Montpellier in the 2026 final showed how quickly a final can escape them when the opposition wins the collision battle. Montpellier scored nine tries, with Billy Vunipola and Lenni Nouchi among those crossing, and their driving maul repeatedly exposed Ulster's inability to halt close-range pressure.

Sale will attempt a similar physical approach, using their forwards to create opportunities for George Ford to dictate territory.

The difference in this prediction is Ulster's route to scoring, as the boys from Belfast once again look red hot coming into a fresh European season: Robert Baloucoune and Zac Ward give them finishing threats out wide, provided their forwards can secure quick enough possession.

If Ulster avoid conceding repeated penalties and prevent Sale from building a succession of maul platforms, they can keep the match open and exploit space late on. That is why we are backing Ulster to claim the Challenge Cup title.