Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1: La Rochelle's Title Defense Begins

The Heineken Champions Cup starts this weekend with Round 1. FloRugby will provide a weekly look at the matches to check out. There's a new country represented in the Champions' Cup this year and a defending champion for the first time. The tournament is branching out into a different era and welcoming clubs from outside Europe.

La Rochelle is the defending champion of the Heineken Champions Cup. It is playing in Pool B against Northampton. Northamptons is currently sixth in the Premiership. Wasps and Worcester Warriors entered administration this fall. They will be relegated to the RFU Championship for next season. Sam Matavesi and Alex Coles are expected to play for Northants. La Rochelle is on a nine-match unbeaten run in European play. The Privateers won the Champions' Cup last season against Leinster.

Lyon will play the Bulls in the first Champions Cup match played outside of Europe. The Bulls are the only South African side to win Super Rugby. Lyon won the last year's Challenge Cup and finished ninth in last season's Top 14. Former Bulls player Arno Botha will be a familiar face in Pretoria. The team is made up of many national team names. It's the all-South African squad. They include captain Marcell Coetzee and winger Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Sale Sharks are looking to defend their Heineken Champions Cup title. They are playing in Pool B with Ulster, who are currently fourth in the United Rugby Championship. Ulster has only two defeats this season, both at the hands of Leinster. The team has eight players that made the Irish Autumn Nations Series squad. It is currently ranked No. 1 in rugby world. La Rochelle is defending their title in this round. The match starts at La Rocheville. Heinesken Champion Cup is played in Heinsberg.