Bath Rugby 'still standard bearers' in Europe for English sides

11:30, 02 Oct 2026Updated 11:30, 02 Oct 2026

Lawrence Dallaglio believes Bath are still the ‘standard bearers’ for English sides in the Investec Champions Cup as they look to right last season’s semi-final wrongs.

Exeter Chiefs were the last English club to be crowned kings of Europe in 2020, with French clubs lifting the Champions Cup trophy on each of the last six occasions.

Johann van Graan’s side progressed the furthest of the PREM sides last season only to be beaten by eventual winners Bordeaux in the last four.

Bath open up their Champions Cup campaign against Montpellier at The Rec on October 17 and Dallaglio feels they are well set to challenge again.

“Of the English sides, I thought Bath were the equal of Bordeaux last season in the semi-final,” said the former No.8, speaking at this week's EPCR season launch in Lyon for Premier Sports.

“There were just a couple of moments where they didn’t quite take advantage, and few would have complained if Bath had gone on to win that game. They were very much part of that contest, so I still see them as the flag-bearers.

“I think Northampton have already shown, in a short space of time, that their coaching and playing teams are good enough to mount a sustained challenge.

“And I feel Saracens have got the bit between their teeth. They seem like a new and very different Saracens team, with Brendan (Venter) seeming very well established in that environment. I think the challenge will come from them as well.”

Dallaglio was speaking ahead of the new season of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, which will again be shown exclusively live on Premier Sports.

A tweak to the format this season sees the competition start earlier, while only the top three in each pool will qualify automatically for the last 16, as opposed to the top four. The remaining slots will be taken up by the four teams with the most points, no matter what group they are in.

Bonus points have also had a revamp, with teams only securing one if they score at least three more tries than their opposition, rather than simply for scoring four tries – this mirrors the format used in the Top14.

“I like the October start because it’s before the Nations Cup, gives the competition a platform to sing from, and it means we can guarantee that international players will be playing in all the big games, certainly in the opening weekend,” Dallaglio said.

“I also like the change in the bonus-point structure, which keeps teams playing both sides of the ball throughout the match.

“All in all, I think it’s a big step forward for the competition. Let’s see if we can bring down the French!”

Lawrence Dallaglio is part of the Premier Sports team bringing every game live from the Investec Champions Cup. To join in visit www.premiersports.com for 400+ live rugby games every season plus every game from the Rugby League World Cup.