Investec Champions Cup Round 2 review
- EPCR Media
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Round 2 of the Investec Champions Cup delivered intensity and drama across Europe and South Africa, with statement wins, stunning results, and dramatic late comebacks. Glasgow Warriors, Bath Rugby, DHL Stormers and Northampton Saints now lead their respective Pools going into the Christmas break. Please find below a comprehensive review including results, updated pools, key data and top performers.
CLICK BELOW FOR ROUND 2 REVIEW STATS
Round 2 – Top Performers
Points: Matéo Garcia (RC Toulon) 20
Carries: Nick David (Harlequins) 21
Metres: Nick David (Harlequins) 151
Defenders beaten: Christian Ambadiang (Castres Olympique) 9
Offloads: Nick David (Harlequins) 8
Tackles: Jack Willis (Stade Toulousain) 25
Round 2 – Key Stats
George Hendy (Northampton Saints) was the only player to score a hattrick at the weekend. He made five clean breaks, beat six defenders, and won three turnovers on the other side of the ball.
Nick David (Harlequins) made the most carries (21), offloads (eight), and beat the joint-most defenders (nine) in Round 2.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) assisted four tries at the weekend - more than any other player.
Jack Willis (Stade Toulousain) made the most tackles (25) and won the joint-most turnovers (four) at the weekend.
Matéo Garcia (RC Toulon) kicked eight from nine off the tee at the weekend, taking his personal tally to a round-high 20 points.
Round 2 lit up on Friday night as Leicester Tigers hosted Leinster Rugby. The hosts led by nine at the break but the Irish side – featuring All Blacks superstar Rieko Ioane – roared back, shutting the hosts out to claim a 23-15 win. It’s now two from two for Leinster, sitting second in Pool 3.
On Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, the DHL Stormers struck early and never looked back, powering past Stade Rochelais for a bonus-point win and top spot in Pool 3. Elsewhere in South Africa, the Hollywoodbets Sharks held off a late Saracens surge to secure their first win, leaving Pool 1 finely balanced heading into the New Year.
In France, Sale Sharks claimed their first victory with a composed performance away to ASM Clermont Auvergne, who remain winless. At a sold-out Stade Chaban-Delmas, reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles ran in eight tries against Scarlets to take maximum points and underline their intention to defend their title.
In front of over 36 000 boisterous fans, Munster Rugby broke new ground on Saturday when they played their first Investec Champions Cup match at SuperValu Páirc Uà Chaoimh in Cork against Gloucester Rugby. A statement 31-3 win for the hosts reignited Munster’s campaign, while Pool 2 remains wide open with five teams locked on five points and table-toppers Bath Rugby only just ahead on six.
It was a night for the ages at a sold-out Scotstoun Stadium. Glasgow Warriors roared back from 21 points down, blasting 28 unanswered second-half points to stun six-time champions Stade Toulousain in front of a roaring crowd. An unbelievable comeback, a win for the history books – and Glasgow open a four-point lead atop Pool 1.
Harlequins ran in 10 tries to steamroll Aviron Bayonnais on Sunday, sealing their first Pool-stage win. Castres Olympique also kick-started their campaign at home, delivering a dominant performance that left Edinburgh Rugby scoreless in France.
Bath Rugby battled RC Toulon all the way at a sold-out Stade Mayol but the three-time champions held on. It was an incredible finish with Toulon’s late score denying Bath a losing extra bonus point – but a try bonus point for the English side still sees them top of Pool 2.
Northampton Saints made it two from two in emphatic style, bulldozing the Vodacom Bulls with a 50-point haul to lead Pool 4. Bristol Bears wrapped up the weekend by also going two from two, scoring nine tries against Section Paloise, to head into the Christmas break in an enviable position.