Ready for some bold predictions? England rugby legend Anthony Watson is making a daring call for the upcoming Investec Champions Cup. He's putting his reputation on the line, backing his former team, Bath, to reach the final!
The stage is set for an epic tournament, with 24 teams battling it out across four pools for the coveted title. The defending champions, Union Bordeaux-Begles, are among the favorites, along with powerhouses like Stade Toulousain and Leinster. But can the English sides step up and challenge for the crown?
Historically, English teams haven't always had the financial muscle or squad depth to consistently compete at the highest level. But here's where it gets interesting: Watson believes Bath, fresh off their PREM title win, could change the game. Coach Johann van Graan is building a formidable squad, and Watson sees them as genuine contenders for the 2025/26 season.
During the 'For The Love Of Rugby Investec Champions Cup preview podcast' alongside Ben Youngs, they dissected each group.
Starting with Pool A, which features the record six-time winners Stade Toulousain and the English giants Saracens, who have won this title on three occasions. Also in the mix are the Springboks-laden Sharks and their English counterparts, Sale Sharks, with Clermont Auvergne and Glasgow Warriors rounding out the group.
Youngs described the group as "Tasty", then asked Watson, "Who finishes top?"
Watson replied: "It's Toulouse. Their strength in depth across the whole squad is a joke. [Antoine] Dupont’s back, he will change the game. I just can’t see past Toulouse right now."
"Pool A looks like the strongest pool."
The second Investec Champions Cup group includes Watson's former team Bath, RC Toulon, Munster, Gloucester, Edinburgh, and Castres.
Watson initially predicted Toulon to finish at the top, but then discussed Bath's chances.
"I think they will definitely be there or thereabouts, they will definitely get to the knockout rounds, it’s kind of how the draw unfolds after that," Watson said. "If they’ve got Leinster away, it could be a challenging one, but I think they will go far.
"Final, I’m going for it, putting my neck on the line."
Youngs found a hole in Watson’s argument, joking: “You’ve literally just said it depends what route they’ve got and now you’ve gone: ‘They’re getting to the final’."
As for Pools C and D, both Watson and Youngs were rather definite over their predictions, with the former containing four-time winners and perennial challengers Leinster, and the latter having the defending champions.
"Who finishes top [of Pool C? Leinster. Fourteen Lions plus Slimani, RG Snyman and Rieko Ioane. If they don’t finish top, it’s a disgrace," Watson said, before Youngs stated: “I don’t see how they cannot finish top.”
Watson then added: “Top of Pool D will undoubtedly be Bordeaux, we agree on that.”
So, what do you think? Do you agree with Watson's bold prediction about Bath? Which teams are your favorites to go all the way? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And don't forget, the Investec Champions Cup is proudly sponsored by Investec, a leading International Bank and Wealth Manager.
