Hits and misses: Johann van Graan's influence and Franco Smith's hiccup

OPINION: From runaway victories to upsets and brilliant individual moments, the 2025/26 Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinals had it all.

I look at the hits and misses from the eight play-off matches across the two divisions.

Hits:

That South African Influence

Johann van Graan’s Bath fought back from being 7-28 down to soar to a stunning 43-41 victory over Northampton Saints on Friday night to reach the semifinals of the competition for the first time in 20 years.

Bath ran in six tries in a sensational advertisement for attacking rugby at the Recreation Ground to set up a last-four meeting with title holders Bordeaux Bègles.

The remarkable way in which Bath came from behind to be victorious in the high-octane affair was testament to Van Graan’s influence.

The former Springbok assistant coach has elevated the English club to new heights since taking over in 2022.

In his second season at the helm, Bath made the Champions Cup knock-outs for the first time since 2015, and from there on he crafted the club into English Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup, and EPCR Challenge Cup champions.

Now, Bath are eyeing Europe’s ultimate club rugby prize after their quarterfinal brilliance.

What an impact.

The story continues below…

Incredible game! 🔥

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Montpellier’s Mauling Masterclass

The French side’s maul was the standout weapon in their loaded forward artillery during their 45-22 Challenge Cup quarterfinal win as they used it to end Connacht’s six-match winning run and book their own spot in the semis.

Montpellier used their maul to devastating effect and Connacht’s struggles were further compounded by their ill-discipline.

The Irish club were reduced to 13 men by the sixth minute after illegally stopping Montpellier’s bulldozing maul, and they were made to pay dearly for their numerical disadvantage.

Montpellier made it 14-3 at the back of another maul before the Irish province were restored to 15 men, and while that was just the beginning, the platform was properly laid.

Keenan’s Killer Comeback

Ireland fullback Hugo Keenan was immense as Leinster overcame Sale Sharks 43-13 at the Aviva Stadium to set up a home semifinal against Toulon.

The versatile back, who spent months on the sidelines, was superb as he scored a try and added two assists to guide the Irish giants to their sixth consecutive Champions Cup semifinal.

After a close half-time encounter, with Leinster leading by just seven points to three, Keenan proved the catalyst after the break as Leinster ran in four tries in the last 27 minutes for a convincing win.

George Ford’s aerial missiles were no problem for Keenan, who added outstanding work under the high ball to his already-impressive shift.

Misses:

Uncharacteristic Glasgow

Glasgow’s “miss” could have easily been Toulon’s “hit”, and for everything Glasgow Warriors got right this season, their latest performance against Toulon at Scotstoun just wasn’t it.

Franco Smith’s team were beaten at home for the first time in almost a year as they suffered a 19-22 defeat to crash out in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

They went unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches at Scotstoun, so calling it an upset is an understatement when you compare their form across both the URC and Champions Cup to Toulon’s domestic struggles, which sees them languishing in 11th spot on the Top 14 standings.

It was an uncharacteristic display by Glasgow. Their attack, and at times their defence, lacked its usual sharpness, while their errors didn’t make the job at hand any easier.

DuPont’s Dip

Toulouse’s cards, one 20-minute red card in the first half to prop Dorian Aldegheri for making head contact with Damian Penaud’s shoulder as he kicked, and a yellow card to captain Antoine Dupont for tripping the ball-carrier just short of the try line, were a key factor in them bowing out of the Champions Cup with a 30-15 defeat against reigning champions Bordeaux Bègles

It was a scintillating spectacle as the two French giants went head-to-head in a high-intensity rematch of last season’s semifinal. Bordeaux were next-level, with no shortage of top contributions from individuals.

Toulouse’s Dupont, on the other hand, and his contributions were much less glamorous.

The man who was at the top of many a rugby fan or expert’s “best in the world” list not too long ago is yet to return to that form since returning from a knee injury.

While he was by no means a complete let-down in the semi-final, he was far from his best, and his yellow card did Toulouse no favours, and neither did Aldegheri’s downright senseless act.