Perennial runners-up Leinster kick-off this year’s European Champions Cup campaign in France’s Massif Central.
Watch Clermont Auvergne v Leinster as the Irish side embark on their annual quest for a fifth European Champions Cup (Mark Kavanagh/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Watch Clermont Auvergne v Leinster as two sides with impressive track records in the European Rugby Champions Cup meet in a tantalising opening round fixture.
This part of the competition is rarely a problem for Leinster. The Irish side have a tendency to breeze through the pool stages and the knockout rounds, before becoming unstuck at the final hurdle. Since their last win in 2018, they’ve reached the final five times without getting their hands on the trophy.
Head coach Leo Cullen – now in his final season in charge – clearly isn’t taking anything for granted, and has named an impressive starting line-up barely indistinguishable from an Ireland XV.
Clermont Auvergne have never won European club rugby’s biggest prize but have reached the final on three occasions, most recently in 2017. They’ve been some way off the Champions Cup pace in recent years, however, and failed to make the knockout stages last season.
They’re currently languishing at the wrong end of the Top 14 table, so – on paper, at least – this could be the ideal start for Leinster. Not that a trip to the famous Stade Marcel-Michelin is ever easy – especially given Leinster’s slow start to the United Rugby Championship season.
Below we explain how you can follow the game from anywhere in the world, including details of how France-based viewers can use a VPN to watch their free Clermont Auvergne v Leinster free stream from abroad.
Key information
– Clermont Auvergne v Leinster date: Saturday 17 October, 2026
– Clermont Auvergne v Leinster kick-off time: 3.15pm BST / 4.15pm CET (local) / 4.15pm SAST / 10.15am EDT / 7.15am PDT
– Clermont Auvergne v Leinster FREE stream: France TV (France)
– Other Clermont Auvergne v Leinster streams: Premier Sports (UK/Ireland) / FloRugby (US) / SuperSport (South Africa) / EPCR TV (around the world)
Clermont Auvergne v Leinster live stream in France
Every matchday weekend, selected European Champions Cup games are available for free via public broadcaster . On Saturday you can watch Clermont Auvergne v Leinster live streams on the France TV streaming service. The game is available on the France 2 terrestrial channel, too.
Viewers in France can also watch every game of the tournament through subscription service beIN Sports.
Don’t worry if you’re travelling overseas right now. You can use a VPN to watch your free Clermont Auvergne v Leinster live stream as if you were back in France. More on that below…
How to watch Clermont Auvergne v Leinster from anywhere
Even if you’re travelling abroad you can enjoy this opening weekend European Champions Cup fixture via your usual streaming service with the help of a (Virtual Private Network). These handy pieces of software allow you to change your IP address, meaning you can avoid geo-blocking restrictions even when you’re hundreds of miles from home.
The tech experts at TechRadar and Tom’s Guide both rate NordVPN as world number one, thanks to its ability to unblock streaming services. It also boasts top-notch security features.
Other Clermont Auvergne v Leinster live streams around the world
Clermont Auvergne v Leinster line-ups and officials
Justin Bouraux, Bautista Delguy, AJ Lam, Léon Darricarrere, Joris Jurand, Harry Plummer (captain), Baptiste Jauneau; Giorgi Akhaladze, Barnabe Massa, Nohem Ez Zahouany, Thibaud Lanen, Darcy Swain, Killian Tixeront, Anthime Hemery, Kevin Noah
Peniami Narisia, Sacha Lotrian, Matheo Frisach, Leo Michaux, Antoine Chalus-Cercy, Louis Vermeulen, Baptiste Germain, Mathys Belaubre
Hugo Keenan, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien, Sam Prendergast, Fintan Gunne; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan
Ronan Kelleher, Alex Usanov, Tom Clarkson, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Scott Penny, Oliver Coffey, Joey Carbery, Jamie Osborne
It’s an all-English officiating team for this one, with Matthew Carley the referee, and Hamish Smales and Jonathan Healy as his assistants. Andrew Jackson is the TMO.
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