Premier Sports is ready to kick off an electrifying chapter in European rugby as the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup celebrate their 30th anniversary season. With exclusive UK coverage of every match and 14 blockbuster games scheduled for this weekend, fans are in for an action-packed start to the competitions.
The season launches in style on Friday night, with two tournament heavyweights—Bath Rugby and Stade Rochelais—colliding at the Rec in a live broadcast from 7 pm.
A stellar cast of rugby legends is set to light up Premier Sports’ coverage. Household names like Lawrence Dallaglio, Chris Robshaw, Andy Goode, Simon Zebo, and Shane Williams will bring their expertise and insights, while experienced hosts including ex England lock Martin Bayfield, as well as Claire Thomas, and Ross Harries will guide fans through the action.
Two-time Champions Cup winner Andy Goode, a central figure in the Premier Sports punditry team, is especially excited about the fresh chapter in the tournament’s history.
“It’s an amazing competition and it’s a hard competition to win – every player wants to get their hands on that trophy,” says Goode. “There’s such mouth-watering games in front of us this weekend, from a fan and pundit perspective I am really excited to see how teams attack it. It just seems year-on-year the quality of the competition and the drama around it all, has got better.”
Goode, who boasts an 18-year professional career, believes Premier Sports’ approach will give fans a unique view of the tournament.
“In the 30th year, what better time to have a new broadcast partner across the UK and Ireland in Premier Sports. It’s an exciting TV talent line-up, it’s guys I know well and it’s going to be done in a way where we’re going to have fun, we’ll say what we see and have an opinion—let’s not sit on the fence. Let’s dramatize the competition and create story lines and talking points that everyone wants to get involved with. I’m massively looking forward to it.”
The opening clash between Bath Rugby and La Rochelle sets the tone for a thrilling weekend. Goode believes this fixture perfectly captures the spirit of the competition.
“You only have to look at the opening fixture on Friday night in Bath – that’s going to be an absolute humdinger! La Rochelle has huge pedigree in this competition, and I have no doubt that ROG (Ronan O’Gara) and the players will want that trophy back in their hands. We saw the scenes when they did win it back in La Rochelle.
“Then there’s Bath—who are, for a lot of people around the game, England’s greatest hope of winning it this year because of the squad depth and the players they have got and led by Finn (Russell).
“What a better way to start this tournament on a Friday against La Rochelle who have won it twice, are littered with internationals and have Ronan O’Gara as their head coach, who’s a great character. And we’ll be there to show it all live on Premier Sports to spark this tournament to life. Sunday Showdown at Ashton Gate
The weekend wraps up with an epic Sunday evening encounter between Bristol Bears and Leinster at Ashton Gate. Bristol enter the match on a high, equaling a Premiership record with 11 consecutive away wins, including a dominant 48-24 victory over Harlequins last week.
“Bristol play the Bristol way, not every team can play that way but it’s something that Pat Lam and Sean Marsden, the attack coach, have tried to hone over the last few years,” explains Goode. “Some of the threats they have got, the talent in the backline, they can certainly put any team under pressure.
“The big thing is when you are playing a team like Leinster, and this is where Bristol may have a slight advantage, is that many of those Ireland boys have been away for four weeks with Ireland and were the only international team to play last week. It will be really interesting to see how Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber integrate all those players back in.”
Goode also highlights the importance of Bristol’s recent form: “Bristol had a really good performance against Quins, attacking from everywhere. AJ MacGinty, with his Irish connection, he’s been pulling the strings beautifully. Then the threats he’s got around him, (Gabriel) Ibitoye on the wing has been absolute stardust for Bristol this year.
“They play a unique way which will stress teams out completely at various times in the game.”
Leinster’s pedigree is undeniable—they’ve reached the last three Champions Cup finals, narrowly losing each one. With Jacques Nienaber now running their defence and Jordie Barrett potentially making his debut, the Irish giants remain a formidable force.
“Leinster will understand how they play and load the front line and Bristol have to try to find a balance, but it might be a great time to catch Leinster,” says Goode.
“I’ll probably have to eat my words because of their pedigree, but they won’t have played together for five or six weeks in a blue jersey. They have got talent, Jordie Barrett is coming in, he’s a world-class operator but he hasn’t pulled on a Leinster jersey yet. His training time won’t have been huge, so fitting into defensive structures and running attacking plays.
As Premier Sports kicks off its coverage of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, Andy Goode sums up the excitement:
“Every game you can pick out a storyline. Just look at the whole Racing 92 v Harlequins story with Stuart Lancaster being out there playing against an English team. That’s the beauty of the competition I think. There is so much excitement to talk about, and the way this competition is set up, you don’t play clubs in your own league—there is a freshness to it.”
With world-class teams, thrilling matchups, and Premier Sports’ expert commentary team, the Champions Cup promises to deliver drama and excitement every step of the way. As Goode says, “Let’s spark this tournament to life!”
