From star signings to Cullen’s last dance: six to watch in European rugby this season
Tommaso Menoncello, Fin Smith, Cheslin Kolbe, Tom Willis, Glasgow’s Tuipulotu and Leinster head coach Leo Cullen are highlighted as six figures to watch in this season’s European club rugby, in an analysis published on 16 October 2026.
The piece surveys standout arrivals and narratives shaping the Champions Cup and related European competitions this season, noting Glasgow’s recent progress in the tournament and the return of high-profile South African internationals to their domestic clubs. It also records that it has been announced that it is Cullen’s final season in charge after 12 years as head coach and places several new signings alongside established stars as potential season-defining factors.
Tuipulotu is identified as Glasgow’s talisman and, the article says, “you could argue, Scotland.” The review points to a chest injury that jeopardised his place on last year’s British & Irish Lions tour of Australia and cites Scotland’s summer fixtures as evidence of form: he captained an impressive win over Argentina, featured in a defeat described as full of positives against the Springboks, and helped them over the line against Fiji. The analysis adds that if Tuipulotu is firing and Glasgow sustain their maul-based approach, they can again progress deep into the competition.
Toulouse’s capture of Tommaso Menoncello is presented as a transformative signing for the French champions. The article mentions a 40m try he scored on the opening weekend of the season, recalls his decisive try in Italy’s first victory over England in March, and contrasts his arrival with the recent departure of Pita Ahki, describing Menoncello as an upgrade for Toulouse.
Bordeaux’s recruitment of Tom Willis is framed as a physical reinforcement for a side built on power, with the article suggesting Willis will provide a platform for the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey to excel. The piece references Bordeaux’s habit of adding to a title-winning nucleus — citing Maxime Lucu as captain and spiritual leader — and notes the expectation attached to the Willis name in France as well as the comparison to his brother Jack at Toulouse.
Northampton’s Fin Smith is cast as entering a pivotal personal season, with the article arguing the debate over England’s long-term fly-half has been settled in his favour. It traces his resurgence from being out of form after the Lions tour and briefly out of the England side to reclaiming the jersey, cites his performance in Northampton’s 71-48 victory over Bath as evidence of his current level, and highlights his relentless pursuit of improvement.
The Stormers are described as assembling a star-studded squad with Cheslin Kolbe returned from Japan alongside Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw, joining Springboks such as Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach who were already at the club. The article notes this is the fifth season South African sides have been included in the competition, observes logistical hurdles remain, and states that on paper the Stormers should mix with the very best while calling Kolbe the best winger of his generation who has previously won the competition with Toulouse.
Cullen’s announced final season is presented as Leinster’s last chance at a drive for five titles: he captained them to the first three and then coached them to No 4. The article records that eight editions of the competition have gone by since Leinster last lifted the trophy and five finals have been lost in that time, including last season’s in Bilbao; it also notes there was no marquee signing from New Zealand this summer and that they have lost James Lowe’s experience, while asserting that Leinster will always be in the mix and that taking the final step remains the hardest challenge.