Jordie Barrett Finds The Net In First Appearance As Leinster Rugby Defeats Bristol Bears

Leinster Rugby seized control of the game in the second half after breaking a 7-7 stalemate and maintained their momentum, as the world’s No. 2 team continues their unbeaten streak this season with a 35-12 victory over Bristol in Pool 2 of the Investec Champions Cup for 2024-2025. With a perfect record of 7-0-0 in […]

Leinster Rugby seized control of the game in the second half after breaking a 7-7 stalemate and maintained their momentum, as the world’s No. 2 team continues their unbeaten streak this season with a 35-12 victory over Bristol in Pool 2 of the Investec Champions Cup for 2024-2025.

With a perfect record of 7-0-0 in the United Rugby Championship, Leinster withstood pressure from the Bristol Bears until they began utilizing their substitutes within the initial 10 minutes of the second half. At the 44-minute mark, RG Snyman, Andrew Porter, Caelan Doris, Tom Clarkson, and their newest recruit, All Blacks sensation Jordie Barrett, were brought onto the field.

Around 11 minutes later, Barrett notched his inaugural try for Leinster at the 55-minute mark, contributing to a 35-0 scoring run that wasn’t interrupted until the 73rd minute.

Sam Prendergast Excels For Leinster Rugby

Sam Prendergast played a crucial role for Leinster, amassing 20 points with two tries and five successful conversions. The Irish team broke free from a fiercely contested first half with precise execution and significant contributions from the bench, reinforcing their status as favorites in the tournament.

2024 Bristol Bears vs Leinster Rugby

Bristol Bears Held A Short-Lived Advantage Against Leinster Rugby

The Bears took an early lead in the 29th minute as Max Lahiff touched down, followed by Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s conversion to put them ahead 7-0. Leinster responded swiftly with Jordan Larmour scoring in the 32nd minute, and Prendergast’s conversion leveling the score at 7-7 at halftime.

Leinster Rugby Dominates In The Second Half

The second half was dominated by Leinster, with Prendergast scoring tries in the 52nd and 57th minutes. Josh van der Flier added another try in the 63rd minute, pushing Leinster’s lead to 35-7. A late try from Bristol’s Gabriel Ibitoye in the 72nd minute tightened the score, but a missed conversion left the Bears trailing.

USA Rugby Star Ilona Maher Seen At The Match

Ilona Maher, a star of USA Rugby and a recent signing with the Bristol Bears women’s team, was present at the match on Dec. 8.

Upcoming Challenges For Leinster Rugby and Bristol Bears

Leinster is set to face a skilled Clermont team that also emerged victorious in Round 1, while Bristol will head to France to take on La Rochelle.

Scoring Breakdown: Bristol vs. Leinster Rugby

Leinster Rugby: Tries: Larmour (32’), Prendergast (52’, 57’), Barrett (55’), van der Flier (63’); Conversions: Prendergast (32’, 52’, 57’, 55’, 63’)

Bristol Bears: Tries: Lahiff (29’), Ibitoye (72’); Conversions: Janse van Rensburg (29’)

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 1 Results

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 2 Preview

Sale Sharks vs. Racing 92, Fri, Dec 13, 2024, 3 PM, Salford Community Stadium
Castres Olympique vs. Munster Rugby, Fri, Dec 13, 2024, 3 PM, Stade Pierre-Fabre
Vodacom Bulls vs. Northampton Saints, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
Ulster Rugby vs. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 10:15 AM, Kingspan Stadium
Leinster Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
Leicester Tigers vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 12:30 PM, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Stade Rochelais vs. Bristol Bears, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 3 PM, Stade Marcel Deflandre
Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
RC Toulon vs. Glasgow Warriors, Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 8 AM, Stade Felix Mayol
Benetton Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 8 AM, Stadio Monigo
Stade Francais Paris vs. Saracens, Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 10:15 AM, Stade Jean Bouin
Exeter Chiefs vs. Stade Toulousain, Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 12:30 PM, Sandy Park

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 3 Preview

Glasgow Warriors vs. Racing 92, Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 3 PM, Scotstoun Stadium
DHL Stormers vs. Sale Sharks, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8 AM, DHL Stadium
Exeter Chiefs vs. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 AM, Sandy Park
Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Stade Toulousain, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 AM, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Munster Rugby vs. Saracens, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 12:30 PM, Thomond Park
Stade Francais Paris vs. Northampton Saints, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stade Jean Bouin
Leicester Tigers vs. Ulster Rugby, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3 PM, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Castres Olympique vs. Vodacom Bulls, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3 PM, Stade Pierre-Fabre
RC Toulon vs. Harlequins, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Felix Mayol
Stade Rochelais vs. Leinster Rugby, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel Deflandre
Bristol Bears vs. Benetton Rugby, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 10:15 AM, Ashton Gate
Bath Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 12:30 PM, The Rec

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 4 Preview

Ulster Rugby vs. Exeter Chiefs, Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3 PM, Kingspan Stadium
Vodacom Bulls vs. Stade Francais Paris, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
Northampton Saints vs. Munster Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Bristol Bears, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel-Michelin
Benetton Rugby vs. Stade Rochelais, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stadio Monigo
Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
Harlequins vs. Glasgow Warriors, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
Racing 92 vs. DHL Stormers, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Paris La Defense Arena
Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Chaban-Delmas
Saracens vs. Castres Olympique, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, StoneX Stadium
Stade Toulousain vs. Leicester Tigers, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Ernest Wallon
Sale Sharks vs. RC Toulon, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 12:30 PM, Salford Community Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Structure

Notable details regarding the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup include:

A multi-pool format similar to that introduced in the previous season
24 elite clubs – eight from each of Gallagher Premiership, URC, and TOP 14 – divided into four pools of six
Each club faces four different opponents, either home or away, during the pool stage, ensuring competitive stakes
The top four ranked teams from each pool advance to the Round of 16
The competition will unfold over eight weekends, comprising four pool rounds and four knockout rounds, concluding with the final slated for May 24, 2025, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Investec Champions Cup Schedule

Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
Final of the 2025 Investec Champions Cup – Saturday, May 24, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium

Champions Cup Eligibility

Twenty-four teams have secured places in the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup as follows:

United Rugby Championship (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs according to their final standings.
TOP 14 (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their finishing positions.
Gallagher Premiership Rugby (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs reflecting their concluding standings.
If a club has not already qualified, the champion of the 2024 Investec Champions Cup will take the spot of the eighth-ranked club in its particular league.

Investec Champions Cup Entrants

TOP 14 – Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Ulster Rugby, Benetton Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks

Start Date and Final for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup

The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup are set to commence on December 6, with four rounds of pool play concluding on January 19, 2025. The Round of 16 gets underway on April 4, and the quarter-finals will take place from April 11 to 13. The semi-finals are scheduled for May 2 to 4.

The EPCR Championships weekend will be held in Cardiff, Wales, at the Principality Stadium, featuring championship matches on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup).