One of the most stunning offseason transfers makes his debut in Round 1 of the Investec Champions Cup on Dec. 6. 

Rieko Ioane is set for his Leinster Rugby debut after being named among the replacements for the club’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Harlequins.

The 88-cap All Black linked up with Leinster this week, joining on a short-term sabbatical deal following the November Nations Series. Ioane will make his first appearance in the province’s dark blue if he comes off the bench Saturday in Dublin.

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His move to Leinster stunned many in Irish rugby circles after years of high-profile battles against Ireland, including a heated postmatch exchange with Johnny Sexton at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The former New Zealand winger-turned-centre has seen fluctuating Test form in recent seasons, but his pace, power and scoring pedigree — 38 tries in 88 internationals — make his arrival one of the competition’s major early storylines.

Rieko is here and we're ready to see him in action this weekend 💥

🎟️ Tickets still available at https://t.co/XAOPErCChl pic.twitter.com/FdeQP3qcYD

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) December 4, 2025

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen named a strong starting XV, with Caelan Doris returning as captain for the first time since May and Joe McCarthy set for his season debut. RG Snyman starts at lock alongside McCarthy, while Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park form the half-back partnership.

Leinster will be without Andrew Porter, James Lowe and Robbie Henshaw.

Leinster Rugby starting XV:

15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Ciarán Frawley, 11 Jordan Larmour, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Paddy McCarthy, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Michael Clarkson, 4 RG Snyman, 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (C).

Replacements:16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Diarmuid Mangan, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Rieko Ioane.

Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber said Ioane’s presence “smacks you in the face,” praising his ability to absorb new systems quickly. The All Black is expected to play a key role as Leinster pursue a fifth European star.

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

More Investec Champions Cup Notes

Champions Cup Has 'Test Match Standard' For Ollie Chessum, Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers captain Ollie Chessum says his squad is ready for the “test-match standard” of the Investec Champions Cup after back-to-back Premiership wins restored confidence at Welford Road. Tight victories over Bath Rugby and Sale Sharks have given Leicester the grit Chessum believes is essential in Europe.

“Tight games are often the most significant,” Chessum said, noting the hard lessons learned early in his captaincy. That resilience will be needed as the Tigers open their campaign against Stade Rochelais before hosting Leinster Rugby in Round 2. Aviron Bayonnais and the DHL Stormers also await in a demanding pool.

Chessum played all three Tests on this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour, experience he says mirrors the intensity of Champions Cup rugby. He is also likely to reunite with Stade Rochelais lock Will Skelton, whom he faced in Australia. “He’s a tough competitor and a great challenge,” Chessum said ahead of Saturday’s opener in France.

Owen Farrell Happy To Be Back With Saracens

Owen Farrell’s return to Saracens has been one of the major storylines of the season, bringing the longtime England captain back to North London after a brief stint with Racing 92 and a surprise British & Irish Lions call-up. The 34-year-old has already made six Gallagher PREM appearances, rejoining a club where he helped secure multiple Investec Champions Cup titles.

Teammate Jamie George said Farrell’s homecoming has lifted the squad. “He feels like he’s home,” George said. “He’s so well respected and loved here, and that brings the best out of him.”

Saracens now hope to recapture the European form that defined Farrell’s first tenure. “We’re massively hungry,” George said, noting recent Champions Cup disappointments. The three-time champions open at home against ASM Clermont Auvergne before facing Stade Toulousain and the Hollywoodbets Sharks in a difficult pool. George expects a fierce challenge up front but believes Saracens’ balance and experience give them a chance to write “our own story” this season.

Bayonne vs. DHL Live Free Live Stream

Sale Sharks vs. Glasgow Warriors Free Live Stream 

Saracens vs. Clermont Free Live Stream 

Vodacom Bulls vs. Union Bordeaux Begles Free Live Stream 

La Rochelle vs. Leicester Tigers Free Live Stream

Leinster Rugby vs. Harlequins Free Live Stream 

Bath Rugby vs. Munster Rugby Free Live Stream 

Scarlets vs. Bristol Bears Free Live Stream 

Pau vs. Northampton Saints Free Live Stream 

Gloucester Rugby vs. Castres Free Live Stream

Toulouse vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks Free Live Stream

Edinburgh Rugby vs. Toulon Free Live Stream

FloRugby Power Ranking Dec. 3, 2025

1. DHL Stormers    1715.67
2. Toulouse 1672.62
3. Pau 1661.83
4. Bath 1632.12
5. Munster 1627.16
6. Cardiff Rugby 1611.98
7. Northampton Saints 1589.58
8. ASM Clermont Auvergne 1587.71
9. Exeter Chiefs 1585.17
10. Ulster 1583.44
11. Leicester Tigers 1577.69
12. Bristol Bears 1576.01
13. Toulon 1575.71
14. Castres 1560.74
15. Stade Francais 1554.16
16. Bayonne 1553.61
17. Racing 92 1552.99
18. Leinster 1547.4
19. Glasgow Warriors 1540.79
20. Emirates Lions 1537.06
21. Montpellier 1536.58
22. Vodacom Bulls 1498.81
23. Bordeaux Bègles 1518.08
24. Saracens 1510.83
25. Edinburgh 1487.06
26. Connacht 1474.36
27. La Rochelle 1472.1
28. Lyon 1449.84
29. Sale Sharks 1437.09
30. Benetton 1430.51
31. Harlequins 1430.09
32. Ospreys 1414.23
33. Scarlets 1411.62
34. Hollywoodbets Sharks 1409.13
35. Gloucester Rugby 1401.68
36. Zebre 1389.03
37. Dragons 1346.76
38. Newcastle Red Bulls 1309.74
39. Montauban 1285.32
40. Perpignan 1208.72

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
• 12:30 p.m. ET Edinburgh Rugby vs. Toulon, Hive Stadium

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

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• Gallagher PREM Rugby
• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Top 14
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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