The 2026/27 European rugby season has commenced with the opening rounds of the French Top 14 and the English Premiership Cup. Several Scotland international players participated in the weekend’s fixtures as domestic competition resumed.
In the French Top 14, former Edinburgh teammates Hamish Watson and Dave Cherry faced one another as Castres Olympique hosted Vannes. Watson, a 2021 British and Irish Lion, played the full 80 minutes at number eight in his debut for Castres, which resulted in a 29-20 victory. Cherry started at hooker for Vannes, the newly promoted side making their first appearance in the top flight, before being substituted in the 58th minute.
Huw Jones made his debut for Toulon, coming off the bench in the 52nd minute of a 27-26 loss to Aviron Bayonnais. Despite the defeat, Toulon secured a losing bonus point. Elsewhere, Adam Hastings made his debut for Montpellier as a 52nd-minute replacement during a 27-19 home loss to Pau. He played alongside scrum-half Ali Price, who was substituted in the 63rd minute, while Alex Masibaka started for Montpellier and played for just over an hour.
Johnny Gray played 57 minutes for USA Perpignan in a 28-26 defeat to Stade Français, a match in which Rufus McLean started on the wing for the winning side. Other Scottish players, including Ewan Johnson, Rudi Brown, Stuart Hogg, and Ben Healey, did not feature in the opening round.
In the English Premiership Cup, Sale Sharks secured a 50-28 victory over Bath. Scotland-capped players Gus Warr and Arron Reed both started for Sale, contributing to a try for Joe Carpenter after Warr took a quick penalty tap to release Reed, who set up the full-back.
Other Scottish players involved in the Premiership Cup included Cameron Henderson, who started for Leicester Tigers in a 45-21 loss to Harlequins. Jack Mann played at second row for Gloucester in a 43-40 defeat to Bristol Bears, and Robbie Smith started at hooker for Northampton Saints during a 96-42 loss to Saracens.
Article and image source: scotsman.com
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