The Investec Champions Cup is back for another season as the best rugby union teams in Europe and South Africa do battle to be crowned continental champions.

Bordeaux Begles are reigning champions, after beating Northampton Saints 28-20 in a tense final to claim the first major trophy in their history back in May, and the French side opened their title defence with an excellent win over the Bulls in Pretoria. Northampton also begin their campaign on the road, with a hop across the Channel to face Pau.

The road to Bilbao, where the final will take place next spring, starts now with the pool stage consisting of four groups of six and the top four from each group going through to the last 16 – with the top two in each pool earning a home tie, while the third- and fourth-placed sides will be playing away.

French giants Toulouse, who host the Sharks in round one, and Leinster – who beat Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium – are joint favourites with the bookies to win the competition and the likes of Bordeaux, Bath and La Rochelle also fancied to do well.

Here’s everything you need to know:

How to watch

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch every match in the Investec Champions Cup live on Premier Sports. with either Premier Sports 1, Premier Sports 2 or Premier Sports Rugby showing each clash. A live stream of every game is also available via the Premier Sports website.

Full schedule for round one of Investec Champions Cup

Friday 5 December

Sale Sharks 21-26 Glasgow Warriors

Bayonne 17-26 Stormers

Saturday 6 December

Saracens 47-10 Clermont Auvergne

Bulls 33-46 Bordeaux Begles

La Rochelle 39-20 Leicester Tigers

Leinster 45-28 Harlequins

Scarlets 16-17 Bristol Bears

Bath 40-14 Munster

Sunday 7 December

Pau v Northampton Saints - 1pm, Premier Sports 2

Toulouse v Sharks - 3.15pm, Premier Sports 1

Gloucester v Castres - 3.15pm, Premier Sports 2

Edinburgh v Toulon - 5.30pm, Premier Sports 1

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