Champions Cup semifinals: Teams and Predictions

PREVIEW: The Champions Cup reaches its defining stage this weekend, with four of Europe’s heavyweights colliding in two blockbuster semifinals where legacy, redemption and history are all on the line.

In Dublin, Leinster return to familiar territory as they chase a place in yet another final, driven by the pain of recent near-misses. Standing in their way is a resurgent RC Toulon side determined to upset the narrative and prove they still belong among Europe’s elite.

Across the Channel, Bath continue their remarkable rise under Johann van Graan, taking on reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles in what promises to be a high-octane clash of ambition versus established dominance.

With contrasting storylines, Leinster’s quest to end their semifinal heartbreak, Bath’s push to complete a historic set, and Bordeaux and Toulon’s hunger to defend French pride, the stage is set for a weekend where fine margins will define who takes the next step towards European glory.

It comes as little surprise that Leinster are back in the Champions Cup semifinals. The Irish giants have now reached the final four in each of the last six seasons, a stark contrast to Toulon, who have managed just one semifinal appearance in the past 11 years.

Yet for all their consistency, Leinster have endured repeated heartbreak. The four-time champions have fallen short at this stage in recent seasons, including last year’s gripping defeat to Northampton Saints – a loss that still lingers.

“We were all sat there in that changing room thinking we’d love another crack at a semifinal,” said Tommy O’Brien. “We would’ve done anything to get back here, so we’re excited to give it another go.”

O’Brien has been in fine form during the knockout stages, scoring three tries in his last two appearances. But he knows Champions Cup rugby leaves no margin for error.

“Each moment is huge. It’s about winning your battles – high balls, chases, kicks – everything counts,” he said. “There’s pressure, but that’s also what makes it exciting. You can create something special.”

“Toulon have a lot of history in this competition, they love it,” O’Brien added. “We know what it means to them and their fans, so it should be an unbelievable match.”

Lock James Ryan echoed that sentiment, highlighting the physical threat posed by Toulon’s pack, which includes David Ribbans, Charles Ollivon and Jean-Baptiste Gros.

“We’re excited. We know we’ll have to be at our very best,” Ryan said. “They’ll come here fearless, but we love playing at home, especially in this competition.”

For Leinster, the message is clear. This is another opportunity, but also a moment to confront the pressure head-on.

“Pressure is a privilege,” Ryan added. “Big players want big games. We have to embrace it.”

*Article continues below…

#NEWS: South African bruiser returns ahead of Leinster v Toulon showdown 👇#ChampionsCup #Leinster #Toulon #LEIvTOU https://t.co/MVzo0q52GA

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) April 29, 2026

*Johann van Graan has made it clear that Bath are not just chasing another big performance this weekend, they are chasing history.

After a trophy-laden 2025 season, the Bath head coach has turned his focus to the one title that still eludes this group: the Investec Champions Cup. Victory in Sunday’s semifinal would move the West Country side one step closer to completing a remarkable set of silverware in just over a year.

“This is the one competition that we, as a group, haven’t won,” Van Graan said. “We’re coming up against the current champions in their backyard—that’s exactly the kind of opportunity you want.”

The challenge could hardly be greater. Bath travel to face reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles, a side brimming with attacking firepower and confidence.

The South African has overseen a steady rise since arriving in 2022, turning promise into belief and now into genuine contention. That growth was evident in their quarter-final comeback and will be crucial again in France, where composure and clarity will be tested to the limit.

The reigning champions arrive as top seeds and one of the most formidable attacking forces in the competition. With 40 tries, 267 points and 100 line breaks, Bordeaux lead the key attacking metrics, driven by Player of the Year nominees Matthieu Jalibert and Louis Bielle-Biarrey as they chase a second European star.

Bath, however, travel with belief and momentum of their own. Finn Russell and Henry Arundell headline a squad packed with international quality, while the power of Thomas du Toit and Tom Dunn has underpinned a dominant scrum throughout the campaign. Back in a semi-final for the first time since 2006, the English side are determined to take the next step in their resurgence.

Former two-time Champions Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio believes this contest has all the ingredients to be a classic.

“It’s knockout rugby – it’s all or nothing,” he said. “Bath will back themselves, and if they can deliver their best performance of the season, they’re capable of something special. It’s all or nothing, isn’t it, to try and get to the final.

And it’s a huge challenge for them to go to the home of the Investec Champions Cup holders, who are looking in pretty good form, certainly in this competition, although not entirely unbeatable at home.

But they’ll have their work cut out if they are to overcome reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles. The French side boast a squad stacked with talent, from Matthieu Jalibert to Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and Damian Penaud to Ben Tameifuna – something Beno Obano was all too aware of:

“The team we’re coming up against has more strengths than most and they’re a great team, but we think we’re a good team,” he said defiantly.

“So, it’s about going out there and being the best version of ourselves.”

*Article continues below…

Johann van Graan, the last South African head 🧠 coach standing in the Champions Cup, has a lot to ponder ahead of Bath’s semi-final in Bordeaux

Get the full overview of his tactical dilemma HERE: https://t.co/g6Z8NPCRoo pic.twitter.com/P4t6HHe3L4

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) April 30, 2026

The prop, who has been game-changing in the scrums and lethal from close range this season, also mentioned how the side are relaxed when faced with the challenge.

“It’s credit to Johann since he came in, but in these big games, we’re just so calm.

“Everything we need is in the team, so it’s empowering to play in those games and know that whatever happens, we’ll be calm,” he stressed.

Speaking on Bath’s success since his arrival in 2022, Van Graan explained how performances in this year’s Investec Champions Cup are another chapter in the long-term ambitions of the club.

“The comeback against Northampton Saints in the quarter-final didn’t happen just because of what was said at half-time.

“It came from day one: ‘How do we want to play the game? How do we want to be and speak to each other?’ It’s the experiences we’ve had together, and two years ago we went from hope to belief.”

*See below for Saturday and Sunday’s teams and predictions!

Saturday, May 2

Leinster v RC Toulon
(Aviva Stadium, Dublin – Kick-off: 15.00 IST; 16.00 CEST; 14.00 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365: Leinster by 9 points

Teams:

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tom Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Jerry Cahir, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Alex Soroka, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Jamie Osborne

RC Toulon: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Gaël Dréan, 13 Nacho Brex, 12 Jérémy Sinzelle, 11 Setariki Tuicuvu, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 Ben White, 8 Mikheil Shioshvili, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Junior Kpoku, 5 David Ribbans (captain), 4 Corentin Mézou, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Teddy Baubigny, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Daniel Brennan, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Matthias Halagahu, 20 Zach Mercer, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Esteban Abadie, 23 Mathis Ferté

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

Sunday, May 3

Bordeaux-Bègles v Bath
(Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole, Bordeaux – Kick-off: 16.00 CEST; 15.00 BST, 14.00 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365: Bordeaux by 11 points

Teams:

Union Bordeaux Bègles: 15 Salesi Rayasi, 14 Pablo Uberti, 13 Damian Penaud, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (c), 8 Marko Gazzotti, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Matis Perchaud
Replacements: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Ugo Boniface, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Cyril Cazeaux, 20 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 21 Temo Matiu, 22 Arthur Retiere, 23 Hugo Reus

Bath: 15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Henry Arundell, 13 Louie Hennessey, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Will Muir, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer (captain), 8 Alfie Barbeary, 7 Guy Pepper, 6 Josh Bayliss, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Billy Sela, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Tom de Glanville, 23 Miles Reid

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)