Story byFrench club Bordeaux-Begles are the Champions Cup holders, after beating Northampton in last season's final in Cardiff []BBCFri, December 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM UTC·8 min readThe 2025-26 Investec Champions Cup is set to get under way, with 12 pool matches to be played across 5-7 December. Sale Sharks and Glasgow Warriors face each other in their opening Pool One fixture on Friday. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll of the team news and line-ups for the other eight games involving clubs from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland can be found below. Saracens v Clermont AuvergneVenue: StoneX Stadium Date: Saturday, 6 December Kick-off: 13:00 GMTCoverage: Full match commentary on BBC Radio London, with second half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra; live text updates on BBC Sport website and appSaracens are without England internationals Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Ben Earl, as well as Argentina back row Juan Martin Gonzalez, as they begin their quest for a fourth European title. Andy Onyeama-Christie returns to the starting line-up after missing last weekend's Prem defeat against Bath and there are two changes in the front row, where Marcus Street makes his first European start for the club and James Hadfield comes in at hooker for Theo Dan. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNick Isiekwe starts alongside Hugh Tizard in the second row with Tom Willis at number eight. The backline is unchanged from the Bath loss with scrum-half Ivan van Zyl captaining the side and Owen Farrell at 10. Max Malins and the exciting Noah Caluori are on the wings with Champions Cup winner Elliot Daly at full-back. Clermont, currently ninth in the French Top 14, make eight changes from their win over Stade Francais last weekend with seven players set to make their Champions Cup debuts. Experienced internationals Rob Simmons and George Moala start on the bench. Saracens: Daly; Caluori, Cinti, Tompkins, Malins; Farrell, Van Zyl; Carre, Hadfield, Street, Isiekwe, Tizard, McFarland, Onyeama-Christie, Willis. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementReplacements: Dan, Mawi, Riccioni, Wilson, Michelow, Bracken, Burke, Segun. Clermont Auvergne: Guillaud; Tauzin, Newsome, Simone, Delguy; Plummer, Jauneau; Lotrian, Fourcade, Ojovan, Lanen, Ratuva, Chalus-Cercy, Hemery, Tolofua. Replacements: Belkessa, Frisach, Dzmanashvili, Simmons, Michaux Vargas, Bezy, Moala, Dessaigne. La Rochelle v LeicesterVenue: Stade Marcel Deflandre Date: Saturday, 6 December Kick-off: 17:30 GMTCoverage: Commentary on BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra; live text updates on BBC Sport website and appTeenage full-back George Pearson replaces Freddie Steward as Leicester head coach Geoff Parling makes a number of changes from last week's win at Newcastle for the trip to two-time winners La Rochelle. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 19-year-old England junior international is among several players making their Champions Cup debuts against Ronan O'Gara's side. Hooker Charlie Clare captains as Leicester change their entire front row, with Nicky Smith, Jamie Blamire and Joe Heyes not in the matchday squad. Hanro Liebenberg and Tommy Reffell also miss out with the back row made up of James Thompson, Joshua Manz and Joaquin Moro. Billy Searle and Tom Whiteley make up the half-backs with Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins keeping their places on the wings. La Rochelle, currently 10th in the French Top 14, are captained by France international Gregory Alldritt, who is joined by Levani Botia and Oscar Jegou in the back row. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey are without several key players through injury such as Will Skelton, Jonathan Danty, Nolann le Garrec and England winger Jack Nowell. Uini Atonio and Irishman Ultan Dillane are on the bench. La Rochelle: Leyds; Niniashvili, Seguret, Seuteni, Favre; West, Berjon; Kaddouri, Latu, Sclavi, Lavault, Kante Samba, Jegou, Botia, Alldritt. Replacements: Lespiaucq, Wardi, Atonio, Dillane, Andjisseramatchi, Couillaud, Jurd, Bollengier.