The Scarlets host Bristol Bears in Round One of the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup on Saturday night
Bristol Bears’ Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Photo by Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Bristol Bears are looking to get off to a fast start in Europe this season when they travel away to Welsh side the Scarlets in the opening pool stage game of the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup.
The Bears were knocked out in the pool stages of last season’s competitions after a tough draw, but Pat Lam’s side are looking to reach the knockout stages this year, but much will likely depend on how they fare against the United Rugby Championship’s bottom side on the opening weekend.
Despite a poor start to the season, the Scarlets come into the game having won 23-0 against Glasgow last weekend, in a reminder of their threat. Bristol director of rugby Lam said: “I think the first game of Europe is the most important of the pool stages, because you can build off the back of that. “We want to get into the knockout stages this year, and we need to get off to a good start.
“It is a tough place to go; we have been there before, and we can’t take anything for granted, whatever their form. There are good players there. And when you are at the bottom of the league, you want to make a difference when you switch to a new competition, so we know how hard that is going to be.”
Here are all the ways you can follow all the action from the opening pool stage game…
When is the game?
Scarlets vs Bristol Bears is being played on Saturday, December 6 at Parc y Scarlets.
What time is kick-off?
The kick-off time is at 8pm UK time.
Is the game on TV or being streamed?
Yes. But another competition means another subscription service is required. All this season’s Investec Champions Cup games will be shown live on Premier Sports which can either be streamed online or watched on Virgin TV, Amazon Prime or Sky Sports packages.
This weekend’s game is being shown on Premier Sports 2, with coverage starting at 7.40pm.
Subscription costs from £11.99 a month. Sign up here.
Highlights will also be available on the Investec Champions Cup YouTube channel shortly after the game and in our live blog and on social media channels.
How else can I follow the game?
If you are not going to be inside the stadium, and even if you are, BristolLive will be live blogging the match bringing you all the build-up, team news, live play-by-play match updates, reaction, stats, analysis, interviews and highlights from inside the ground.
Will there be live radio commentary of the match?
BBC Radio Bristol will also be providing live commentary of the game.
What’s the team news?
Team news is set to be announced at midday on Friday and will be dropped in here when it is out.
Who are the officials?
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
Assistant Referees: Filippo Russo (Ita) and Franco Rosella (Ita)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Ita)
Citing Commissioner: Ed Kenny ( Ire)