Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh learn Champions Cup and Challenge Cup opponents as 2026/27 draws made
The draws for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge cup have been made featuring clubs from the URC, Gallagher Prem, Top 14 and more.
The draws have been made for the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup with Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh learning their European opponents for next season.
Franco Smith’s side will compete in the top competition after finishing first in the regular United Rugby Championship season in 2025/26. As for the capital club, finishing the last campaign outside of the top eight means they will compete in the second tier tournament.
Both clubs will compete alongside URC rivals as well as teams from England’s Gallagher Premiership, France’s Top 14 and two invited clubs in the case of the Challenge Cup. Here is how the draws panned out for both Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors:
Edinburgh to face Toulon again as Sean Everitt’s side handed difficult Challenge Cup Pool
Edinburgh have been handed a difficult looking Pool Stage draw for the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup. They have been drawn in Pool 3 alongside RC Toulon who they memorably beat in the Pool Stage of last season’s Investec Champions Cup.
They will face a second French Top 14 opponent in RC Vannes, who former hooker Dave Cherry plays for, as well as Harlequins of England’s Gallagher Premiership. Completing the group is invitational side Black Lion from Georgia who they previously met in the 2024/25 edition of this competition and URC rivals Ospreys but Edinburgh will not face the Welsh club due to the competition rules.
Pool 1: Toyota Cheetahs, Ulster Rugby, USA Perpignan, Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais, Zebre Parma.
Pool 2: Benetton Rugby, Lou Rugby, Newcastle Red Bull, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Castres Olympique, Scarlets.
Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh Rugby, Black Lion, Harlequins, RC Toulon, RC Vannes.
The Pool Stage will begin on the weekend of October 16/17/18 2026 until January 15/16/17 2027. The knockout stages begin in April and will conclude with the final in Lyon on Friday, May 21 2027 at Lyon’s OL Stadium in France.
Glasgow Warriors drawn beside reigning URC champions Leinster
Glasgow Warriors have been drawn alongside Leinster in the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup Pool Stage. They have been placed in Pool 1 along with the reigning URC Champions but will not face the Irish side due to the competition rules at this stage.
Also in their Pool are French Top 14 sides Pau and Clermont as well as Gallagher Premiership duo Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers. It’s a challenging Pool Stage draw for Franco Smith’s side but one they will be confident of progressing from after their impressive form at the same stage in this competition last season.
Pool 1: Leinster Rugby, Glasgow Warriors, Section Paloise, Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers, ASM Clermont Auvergne.
Pool 2: Stade Toulousain, Fidelity SecureDrive Lions, Saracens, Stade Rochelais, Exeter Chiefs, Connacht Rugby.
Pool 3: Union Bordeaux Bègles, DHL Stormers, Racing 92, Munster Rugby, Bristol Bears, Gloucester Rugby
Pool 4: Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Stade Français Paris, Vodacom Bulls.
The Pool Stage for the Champions Cup will also begin the weekend of October 16/17/18 2026 until January 15/16/17 2027. The knockout stages begin in April and will conclude with the final in Lyon on Saturday, May 22 2027 at Lyon’s OL Stadium in France.
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