Sold-out stadiums witness thrilling rugby action across Europe as Investec Champions Cup quarter-final spots are secured
- EPCR Media
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Eight clubs have secured their places in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals following a thrilling weekend of sold-out action across Europe. The road to the Bilbao 2026 Final now intensifies, with general admission tickets for the final already sold-out in record time.
Northampton Saints were first to book their spot in the final eight, overturning a 12-0 deficit against an impressive Castres Olympique with a powerful second-half comeback. They will face Bath Rugby at The Rec next weekend, after Bath fought back from 10-0 down at half-time to beat English rivals Saracens in a gripping, sold-out clash.
RC Toulon edged past DHL Stormers by a single point in a dramatic encounter at Stade Mayol, to set up a trip to Scotstoun Stadium where they will take on Glasgow Warriors. The Scots battled past the Vodacom Bulls in front of a sell-out crowd, in a hard-fought, weather-hit contest to secure their first ever home quarter-final.
Stade Toulousain sealed their place in the quarter-finals in ruthless fashion, with nine tries against Bristol Bears for the six-time champions, setting up a French heavyweight quarter-final with Union Bordeaux Bègles. Bordeaux were equally ruthless in their dispatching of Leicester Tigers securing nine tries of their own to send the reigning champions through.
Sale Sharks held off a second-half comeback from English rivals Harlequins to qualify for the quarter-final for just the fourth time in their history. They will face Leinster Rugby, who will be at home two weekends in a row, after producing a second-half surge in a 12-try thriller against Edinburgh Rugby in Dublin.
CLICK BELOW FOR ROUND OF 16 REVIEW STATS
Round 16 – Top Performers
Points: 18, Maxime Lucu, Union Bordeaux Bègles
Carries: 22, Matthieu Jalibert, Union Bordeaux Bègles
Metres: 175, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Union Bordeaux Bègles
Defender Beaten: 11, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Union Bordeaux Bègles and Teddy Thomas, Stade Toulousain
Offloads: 6, Damian Penaud, Union Bordeaux Bègles
Tackles: 25, Johann Grobbelaar, Vodacom Bulls
Round 16 – Key Stats
Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Salesi Rayasi (both Union Bordeaux Bègles) are tied as the competition's top try scorers with seven each this season.
George Furbank (Northampton Saints) was dominant in the latest round with 162 metres made (second most). He also scored a try and assisted another.
Tommy O'Brien and Rieko Ioane (Leinster Rugby) tied for most initial breaks in the latest round with four each.
Johann Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) topped the latest round's defensive statistics with 25 successful tackles and four dominant tackle contacts.
Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain) leads all players with 31 successful goal kicks and 67 total points in the competition.
Following a highly competitive Round of 16 weekend, EPCR is pleased to announce the dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage of the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final matches.
QUARTER-FINALS
(Pool stage rankings in brackets - all kick-offs local times)
Friday
Quarter-final 4: Bath Rugby (4) – Northampton Saints (5) @ The Rec (8pm)
Andrew Brace (IRE)
Premier Sports/beIN Sports/SuperSport/FloRugby/EPCR TV
Saturday
Quarter-final 2: Glasgow Warriors (2) – RC Toulon (7) @ Scotstoun Stadium (3pm)
Karl Dickson (ENG)
Premier Sports/France TV/beIN SPORTS/SuperSport/FloRugby/EPCRTV
Quarter-final 3: Leinster Rugby (3) – Sale Sharks (11) @ Aviva Stadium (5.30pm)
Pierre Brousset (FRA)
Premier Sports/beIN Sports/SuperSport/FloRugby/EPCR TV
Sunday
Quarter-final 1: Union Bordeaux Bègles (1) – Stade Toulousain (8) @ Stade Chaban-Delmas (4pm)
Matthew Carley (ENG)
France TV/beIN Sports/Premier Sports/SuperSport/FloRugby/EPCR TV
Semi-finals – 1/2/3 May
Semi-final 1: winner QF 1 v winner QF 4
Semi-final 2: winner QF 2 v winner QF 3
NB The venues for the semi-final matches will be designated by EPCR.
2026 Investec Champions Cup final: Saturday 23 May; San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao (3.45pm)
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