Toulon vs. Bath Rugby Leads Champions Cup Pool 2 Round 2 Play | ICC Preview
Toulon vs. Bath Rugby Leads Champions Cup Pool 2 Round 2 Play | ICC Preview
Round 2 in Pool 2 features Munster vs. Gloucester, Toulon vs. Bath and Castres vs. Edinburgh as the group tightens after major upsets in Week 1.
Entering the competition, no Investec Champions Cup pod looked more top-heavy than Pool 2.
Bath Rugby, Munster Rugby and Toulon all were in the top 3 of the standings in their domestic leagues.
But now, after two surprising outcomes — and Bath Rugby ambushing Munster in Round 1 — the pool suddenly looks like the hardest to predict.
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Gloucester, ninth on the PREM Rugby table, picked up a massive bonus-point win at home against Castres. Entering the competition, Gloucester was tied for the worst odds to win the Champions Cup, but won 34-14.
And that wasn’t even the most surprising result in the pool.
Toulon, third in the Top 14 standings, likely was expecting a bonus-point win on the road against Edinburgh, 10th on the URC table. Instead, Edinburgh picked up the bonus point in a 33-20 win that has put the pre-tournament projections of this pool in a blender.
Here’s a look at Pool 2 matches in Round 2 of the Investec Champions Cup:
Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby — 12:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 13
Munster will play this match at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, Ireland. Munster was seen as one of the favorites to win this pool, but Bath put the Irish club in its place during a 40-14 win. But maybe that was the plan?
Munster still could win the pool and go 3-0-1 despite the loss, with its toughest match of pool play already over. A trip to Toulon — where Munster won a year ago — combined with a home match against Castres, looks promising, unless Gloucester continues to shock the pod.
Castres vs. Edinburgh Rugby — 8 a.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 14
One of the most surprising wins of the first round was Edinburgh, which is 2-0-3 in URC play and 10th on the table — not just beating Toulon, but picking up a bonus point in doing it. The win stressed just how hard it is, whether in Edinburgh or Glasgow, to win in Scotland.
Toulon, third in the Top 14, beat this Castres team 16-12 at home in September and 52-23 in the Top 14 playoffs in June. Castres looked overwhelmed in its match against Gloucester, which had won just one match in the Gallagher PREM season entering Champions Cup play.
But it’s hard to win in southern France. The loser of this match will be in dire straits — not just to make the Round of 16, but to even qualify for the EPCR Challenge Cup knockout stage.
Toulon vs. Bath Rugby — 10:15 a.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 14
Quite frankly, this match may be the most important match for one team in the competition.
The current third-place team in the Top 14 is in serious jeopardy of dropping to 0-0-2 in the competition and fighting to stay in the top four of the pool. A massive loss to Edinburgh and Gloucester’s win means a loss at home for Toulon would leave them playing catch-up in January.
Gloucester travels to Edinburgh in Round 3, and Toulon hosts Munster. One of the big advantages Toulon had entering the tournament is having played the two best clubs in the pool at home — but Toulon's dreams of going 4-0-0 were dashed. This is a must-win for Toulon so there won’t be a trip to Gloucester in Round 4 with a knockout appearance at stake.
For Bath, a win at Toulon would quash anyone questioning the team's status as a legit favorite to win the Champions Cup based on not having any big road wins. Munster beat Toulon on the road last year, so it can be done.
Bath Rugby was one of three teams — Toulouse and Saracens being the others — that looked like clubs that could breeze through pool stages in Round 1. Of course, Toulouse and Saracens can’t both go 4-0-0 because they’re in Pool 1.
2025 ICC Table Standings Round 2
Pool 1
1. Toulouse (Stade Toulousain)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 37 | Pts: 8 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
2. Saracens (Saracens)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 37 | Pts: 7 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
3. Glasgow Warriors (Glasgow Warriors)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 5 | Pts: 4 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
4. Sale Sharks (Sale Sharks)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –5 | Pts: 3 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 1 | Rank: 1
5. Hollywoodbets Sharks (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –37 | Pts: 3 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 0
6. Clermont Auvergne (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –37 | Pts: 2 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 0
Pool 2
1. Bath Rugby (Bath Rugby)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 26 | Pts: 6 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
2. Gloucester Rugby (Gloucester Rugby)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 20 | Pts: 4 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
3. Edinburgh Rugby (Edinburgh Rugby)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 13 | Pts: 4 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
4. Toulon (RC Toulon)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –13 | Pts: 2 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 0
5. Castres Olympique (Castres Olympique)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –20 | Pts: 2 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 0
6. Munster Rugby (Munster Rugby)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –26 | Pts: 2 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 0
Pool 3
1. La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 19 | Pts: 6 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
2. Leinster Rugby (Leinster Rugby)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 17 | Pts: 7 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
3. DHL Stormers (DHL Stormers)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 9 | Pts: 2 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 4
4. Harlequins (Harlequins)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –17 | Pts: 4 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 1
5. Bayonne (Aviron Bayonnais)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –9 | Pts: 3 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 0
6. Leicester Tigers (Leicester Tigers)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –19 | Pts: 2 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 0
Pool 4
1. Bordeaux-Begles (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 13 | Pts: 7 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
2. Northampton Saints (Northampton Saints)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 8 | Pts: 5 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 5
3. Bristol Bears (Bristol Bears)
Games: 1 | Wins: 1 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 0
Point diff.: 1 | Pts: 3 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 4
4. Scarlets (Scarlets)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –1 | Pts: 1 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 1 | Rank: 1
5. Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Bulls)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –13 | Pts: 5 | Try bonus: 1 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 1
6. Pau (Section Paloise)
Games: 1 | Wins: 0 | Draws: 0 | Losses: 1
Point diff.: –8 | Pts: 3 | Try bonus: 0 | Def. bonus: 0 | Rank: 0
Investec Champions Cup Round 1 Scores
Friday Scores:
- DHL Stormers 23, Bayonne 17 | FINAL
- Sale Sharks 21, Glasgow Warriors 26 | FINAL
Saturday Scores
- Saracens 47, Clermont 10 | FINAL
- Bordeaux 46, Vodacom Bulls 33 | FINAL
- La Rochelle 39, Leicester Tigers 20 | FINAL
- Leinster Rugby 45, Harlequins 28 | FINAL
- Bristol Bears 17, Scarlets 16 | FINAL
- Bath Rugby 40, Munster Rugby 14 | FINAL
Sunday Scores:
- Northampton Saints 35, Pau 27 | FINAL
- Toulouse 56, Hollywoodbets Sharks 19 | FINAL
- Gloucester Rugby 34, Castres 14 | FINAL
- Edinburgh Rugby 33, Toulon | Final
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
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