By Chirs Hoddle
October 15 2026

Thanks to Chris for sending this over

This week is a one off week for the European competitions. The format for bonus has changed for bonus points and I think could affect the Saints. Like the ‘French’ system a try bonus point is only awarded if you score 3 tries more than the opponent. So both clubs can not get a try bonus point. There is a losing bonus point on offer for within 7 points. The qualifying teams at the end of the process will also change. From 2026-27, only three teams from each of the four pools will go through automatically, with the remaining four last-16 spots allocated on the basis of table points collected.

With wins being the primary tie-breaker, it is now impossible for a repeat of last season's scenario, in which Leicester and Bulls, who finished fourth in their respective pools with just one win each, progressed at the expense of the Sharks, who won two but finished fifth in their group.

The games are once again covered by Prem sports, they are used to televising the United Rugby Championship and the Top 14.

The games start on Friday and run through to The Saints game on Sunday at 5.30pm. They play Cardiff and it can be found on Prem Sports 1

The RFU Championship continues this week and the games can be found on Clubber

On Sunday one can be found on ‘Blaze’   BLAZE TV UK – Take it on. Stream top TV for free.

I make it a possible 32games.