“An incredible opportunity to measure ourselves against the best” | Smith

1 Jul 2025

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith is relishing the prospect of his squad testing themselves against some of the top teams in Europe, after the draw was made for the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup pool stages.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 30: Warriors head coach Franco Smith before a BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final match between Glasgow Warriors and DHL Stormers at Scotstoun Stadium, on May 30, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The Warriors will face Stade Toulousain, Saracens, Sale Sharks and ASM Clermont-Auvergne in Pool One of the competition, with kick-off times, dates and venues to be confirmed in due course by EPCR.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for us to measure ourselves against the best,” Smith told glasgowwarriors.org following the draw.

“To be drawn against heavyweights and previous champions provides our squad with a chance to test themselves against some of the best this competition has to offer.

“Toulouse and Saracens have won this competition nine times between them, with both outfits regularly featuring in the knockout stages of this competition and challenging for silverware.

“Add that to Clermont, who have been in European finals and lifted the Challenge Cup before, and Sale Sharks, who have been one of the top teams in England for the last few years, we know that we will be challenged by each of our opponents and it’s a challenge that we look forward to.

“To be challenged at that level is something that excites everyone at this club, and we’re excited to go out there and go head-to-head with the best in Europe.”