Investec Champions Cup - Round 1 review
- EPCR Media
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Investec Champions Cup returned this weekend, and Round 1 delivered all the action and surprises fans expect from club rugby’s top competition. Please find below a comprehensive review including results, updated pools, key data and top performers.
CLICK BELOW FOR ROUND 1 REVIEW STATS
Round 1 – Top Performers
Points: Clinton Swart (DHL Stormers) 16
Carries: Grégory Alldritt (Stade Rochelais) 20
Metres: Josh McKay (Glasgow Warriors) 121
Defenders beaten: Jordan Larmour (Leinster Rugby) 7
Offloads: Gavin Coombes (Munster Rugby) 5
Tackles: Ernst van Ryhn (Sale Sharks) 31
Round 1 – Key Stats
Ange Capuozzo (Stade Toulousain) was the only player who scored three tries in Round 1. He also made a round-high five clean breaks.
Gregory Alldritt (Stade Rochelais) made the joint-most carries at the weekend (20), beat four defenders, and scored a try.
Jordan Larmour (Leinster Rugby) beat the joint-most defenders (seven) at the weekend, made four clean breaks, and the second-most metres (119).
Matthieu Jalibert (Union Bordeaux Bègles) assisted two tries, scored another, and beat the joint-most defenders (seven) in Round 1.
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints) made the joint-most dominant tackles (three) and won a turnover at the weekend.
Friday night opened with two away victories, as the DHL Stormers edged Aviron Bayonnais and Glasgow Warriors defeated Sale Sharks.
Saturday saw Saracens make a strong early statement with a dominant performance against ASM Clermont Auvergne, laying solid foundations for their Investec Champions Cup ambitions.
Reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles faced a tough opener against the Vodacom Bulls in South Africa but overturned a 10-point half-time deficit to secure a historic win - becoming the first French club to beat the Bulls away as they begin their title defence.
Two-time champions Stade Rochelais, intent on improving last year’s Round of 16 exit, controlled Leicester Tigers at home, while Leinster Rugby launched their bid for a fifth star with a commanding win over Harlequins.
Bath Rugby lit up a sold-out Rec on Saturday night with a composed display to ease past Munster Rugby, and down the road, Bristol Bears were pushed hard by Scarlets but held on to claim their Round 1 victory by one point.
Sunday opened with a head-turner as Section Paloise faced last season’s runners-up, Northampton Saints. Returning to the Investec Champions Cup after 25 years and unbeaten at home this season, the French side held firm at 27–27 with 10 minutes to go, until George Hendy’s 77th-minute try finally broke their streak and sealed a bonus-point win for Saints.
Six-time champions Stade Toulousain sent a strong message against Hollywoodbets Sharks, running in eight tries to cruise to a commanding home victory. Meanwhile, Castres Olympique pushed hard for an away scalp against Gloucester Rugby, but a late surge from the English kept the French at bay, with Gloucester taking the win.
Round 1 wrapped under heavy rain at Hive Stadium, where hosts Edinburgh Rugby toppled three-time champions RC Toulon. All eyes now shift to Round 2 this weekend.