Top 5 European Rugby Matches to Watch: Challenge & Champions Cup Round 3

One week into the new year, and it’s only the tip of the rugby iceberg.

The first 2026 weekend of Top 14, PREM and URC action delivered immediate drama—and there’s no pause button. Clubs now shift straight into European competition, where the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Round 3 will begin revealing true contenders.

Perpignan opened the year with a statement, earning their second Top 14 win by stunning No. 1 Toulouse. Northampton steamrolled Harlequins 66–21 for their most dominant PREM performance yet. Ulster added another chapter to their interprovincial rivalry, edging Munster once again.

Now, the spotlight turns to Europe, where the fiercest competition awaits and the season’s front-runners start to emerge.

Here are five must-watch matches this week:

Stade Français vs. Exeter ChiefsJan. 10 at 8 a.m. ET — Challenge Cup

Stade Français arrive in strong form after a convincing 33–15 Top 14 win over Castres and a perfect start to their Challenge Cup campaign. Dominant victories over Cardiff and the Cheetahs have put the Parisians firmly in control of their pool. 

Exeter, meanwhile, are searching for momentum after a narrow PREM loss to Bath but have shown flashes in Europe, hammering the Cheetahs before battling Racing 92 to a 31–31 draw. 

This matchup pits Stade Français’ consistency against an Exeter side capable of swinging wildly week to week.

Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets SharksJan. 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET — Champions Cup

It’s a literal battle of the Sharks, though the trajectories couldn’t be more different. Sale come in off a tight PREM defeat to Bristol but rebounded in Europe with a decisive win over Clermont after falling to Glasgow in Round 1. 

Hollywoodbets Sharks are reeling, having dropped a one-point URC match to the Lions and suffering heavy Champions Cup losses to Connacht and Toulouse. For Sale, this is a chance to solidify their knockout push; for Hollywoodbets, it’s about survival.

Leinster vs. La RochelleJan. 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET — Champions Cup

One of Europe’s premier rivalries renews with both sides carrying confidence—and history. 

Leinster are unbeaten in their last five matches and opened their Champions Cup with wins over Harlequins and Leicester. La Rochelle arrive fresh off a staggering 66–0 Top 14 demolition of Toulon but split their European results, beating Leicester before falling hard to the Stormers. 

Leinster have won the last three meetings, including a 16–14 thriller in January 2025, but La Rochelle know how to flip the script.

Union Bordeaux Bègles vs. Northampton SaintsJan. 11 at 10:15 a.m. ET — Champions Cup

This matchup features two of the hottest attacking sides in Europe right now. 

Bordeaux crushed Racing 92 last week and have been ruthless in Champions Cup play, piling up points against the Bulls and Scarlets. Northampton are equally dangerous, riding a five-match win streak highlighted by a 66–21 rout of Harlequins and dominant European wins. 

Bordeaux have won the last two meetings, including a 28–20 victory in May 2025, giving this clash extra edge.

Saracens vs. ToulouseJan. 11 at 12:30 p.m. ET — Champions Cup

Two European heavyweights meet at a critical moment for both clubs. Toulouse were stunned by Perpignan in Top 14 play and split their Champions Cup results, overpowering the Sharks before slipping against Glasgow. 

Saracens also come off a domestic loss and have mirrored Toulouse’s European inconsistency with one emphatic win and one narrow defeat. With little margin for error in the pool, this game could define the knockout picture for both sides.

How To Watch Investec Champions Cup Round 3 Matches

All Investec Champions Cup matches stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

Investec Champions Cup Round 3 FixturesFriday, Jan. 93 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBDSaturday, Jan. 108 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus Versfeld10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-Michelin12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBD12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community Stadium3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y Scarlets3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford RoadSunday, Jan. 118 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-Delmas12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX StadiumInvestec Champions Cup Round 4 FixturesFriday, Jan. 163 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stade du Hameau3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby, The RecSaturday, Jan. 178 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Kings Park10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger10:15 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Leicester Tigers, DHL Stadium12:30 p.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Thomond Park3 p.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Toulon, KingsholmSunday, Jan. 188 a.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Ashton Gate10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Scarlets, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens10:15 a.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Harlequins, Stade Marcel Deflandre12:30 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Saracens, Scotstoun StadiumHow To Watch Investec Champions Cup Round 3 Matches

All EPCR Challenge Cup matches stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

EPCR Challenge Cup Round 3 FixturesSat, Jan. 10, 20267 a.m. ET: Stade Français Paris vs. Exeter Chiefs, Stade Jean Bouin7 a.m. ET: US Montauban vs. Black Lion, Stade Sapiac7 a.m. ET: Newcastle Red Bulls vs. Perpignan, Kingston Park9:15 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Lyon O.U., Ellis Park9:15 a.m. ET: Cardiff Rugby vs. Racing 92, Cardiff Arms Park11:30 a.m. ET: Benetton Rugby vs. Dragons RFC, Stadio MonigoSun, Jan. 11, 20267 a.m. ET: Montpellier Hérault Rugby vs. Connacht Rugby, Septeo Stadium7 a.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Ospreys, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi9:15 a.m. ET: Toyota Cheetahs vs. Ulster Rugby, NRCA StadiumEPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 FixturesFri, Jan. 16, 20262 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Newcastle Red Bulls, Rodney ParadeSat, Jan. 17, 20267 a.m. ET: Ulster Rugby vs. Stade Français Paris, Affidea Stadium7 a.m. ET: Black Lion vs. Zebre Parma, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium11:30 a.m. ET: Perpignan vs. Lions, Stade Aimé Giral2 p.m. ET: Connacht Rugby vs. US Montauban, Dexcom Stadium2 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Dunraven Brewery FieldSun, Jan. 18, 20267 a.m. ET: Exeter Chiefs vs. Cardiff Rugby, Sandy Park7 a.m. ET: Lyon O.U. vs. Benetton Rugby, Matmut Stadium de Gerland11:30 a.m. ET: Racing 92 vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Paris La Défense ArenaHow To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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