Scarlets to take on cup kings UBB in Champions Cup

Rob LloydFeatured

Scarlets will take on reigning champions Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the 2025-26 Investec Champions Cup.

The draw for Europe’s top tier tournament was made in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon, pairing Dwayne Peel’s side with the star-studded French outfit, Bristol Bears, Section Paloise and last season’s beaten finalists Northampton Saints.

Vodacom Bulls are also in Pool 4, but tournament rules state you cannot play teams from the same league (URC).

The fixtures for the EPCR matches will be revealed in two weeks’ time.

UBB have enjoyed a stellar season, winning the Champions Cup and narrowly missing out on the French Top14 title following an extra-time defeat to Toulouse.

The Bears have a reputation as one of the most attractive sides in the Gallagher Prem, while Saints, with four players in the British & Irish Lions squad currently touring Australia, were beaten in the Champions Cup final in Cardiff.

Pau qualified as France’s final seeds and have former Scarlet Carwyn Tuipulotu in their ranks.

2025-26 weekends

Round 1 – 5/6/7 December 2025 

Round 2 – 12/13/14 December 2025 

Round 3 – 9/10/11 January 2026 

Round 4 – 16/17/18 January 2026

Round of 16 – 3/4/5 April 2026 

Quarter-finals – 10/11/12 April 2026 

Semi-finals – 1/2/3 May 2026 

EPCR Challenge Cup Final – San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao; Friday 22 May 

Investec Champions Cup Final – San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao; Saturday 23 May