Champions Cup clockwatch: Tries and live updates from across Europe in Saturday's matches

• Full-time: Bath 16 Ulster 17, 1pm

• Full-time: Glasgow Warriors 13 Sale Sharks 7

• Full-time: La Rochelle 12 Exeter Chiefs 31, Pool 2

• Full-time: Leinster 33 Benetton 19, Pool 1

• Clermont Auvergne v Harlequins, Pool 3, 5.30pm

• Ospreys v Munster, Pool 4, 5.30pm

5:22PM

Full-time: La Rochelle 12 Exeter Chiefs 31

Exeter were emphatic in victory, and it's La Rochelle's first home loss for eight months.

5:11PM

TRY MURIMURIVALU: La Rochelle 12 Exeter Chiefs 31

La Rochelle get up to within a metre of Exeter's line, but credit to the Chiefs' defence. Even with 26 point advantage and 10 seconds remaining they still fly in.

Eventually, however, a pinpoint crossfield kick from Brock James sees Murimurivalu go over for a consolation.

James converts.

5:08PM

FULL-TIME: Leinster 33 Benetton 19

A bonus-point win gets Leinster's Champions Cup campaign up and running as they try and avenge last season's defeat in the final to Saracens.

5:08PM

PEN SIMMONDS: La Rochelle 5 Exeter Chiefs 31

A massive scrum from Exeter allows them to increase their lead as we move into the last five minutes. Simmonds successful with the kick.

O'Flaherty has been named as man of the match.

5:07PM

TRY SPERANDIO: Leinster 33 Benetton 19

A consolation for Benetton who, to their credit, have been plucky at the RDS. Sperandio going over, with Keatley missing the conversion.

Many teams have been on the end of a hiding out there, but a 14-point loss and three tries. for a team who are, in Champions Cup stakes, barely big-hitters, will give them confidence for the rest of the competition.

4:59PM

Ringrose's hat-trick try

4:58PM

Exeter are still pushing

The Chiefs are hunting for a fifth here!

Ewers has just got within a metre of the line, before the referee awards Exeter a scrum as the ruck is messy.

They will have that scrum, however, and you wouldn't bet against them scoring.

4:55PM

TRY RINGROSE: Leinster 33 Benetton 14

And that's the hat-trick for the Ireland centre! Ringrose gets on the end of a prolonged Leinster attack and that puts the result beyond doubt, with 10 minutes left.

Byrne, on for Sexton, converts.

4:49PM

TRY S SIMMONDS: La Rochelle 5 Exeter 28

It's ruthless from Exeter, and the perfect answer to that disappointing home loss to Bristol last week.

It's not over yet, but that's the attacking bonus-point secured. They go through the phases in the La Rochelle 22, with Sam Simmonds's thunderous leg drive taking him through Retiere  and over to score.

His brother, Joe, converts. This is looking like La Rochelle's first home loss for eight months.

4:47PM

Henry Slade scores Exeter's third try

4:46PM

Nervy at the RDS...

Benetton were pushing for a third try there, but Leinster have just about managed to repel their dangerous driving maul.

It remains Leinster 26 Benetton 14.

4:43PM

Exeter are looking for a bonus-point try

That would be some result.

La Rochelle are caught offside, so Simmonds gives Exeter a lineout on the La Rochelle 22.

4:40PM

That La Rochelle try to savour

4:39PM

TRY SLADE: La Rochelle 5 Exeter 21

Botia has just carried from first-phase and absolutely decimated Simmonds.

La Rochelle look to go wide, and they have an overlap, but Slade sniffs out the loose pass and goes 50 metres to score under the posts. Sinzelle threw the intercept, and that might be the game.

Simmonds managed to recover to convert. That's three tries for Exeter, and they can maybe start dreaming of a bonus point.

4:35PM

TRY FAIVA: Leinster 26 Benetton 14

Don't write Benetton off just yet...

Faiva has dotted down from the back of a lineout maul, and the Italians are still up for the fight.

Keatley converts and the deficit is back to 12 points.

4:31PM

Sexton's earlier score for Leinster

An emotional celebration from the Ireland fly-half

4:27PM

TRY DOUMAYROU: La Rochelle 5 Exeter 14

What a try this is!

West chips cross-field to Rattez, who flicks a beautiful offload inside to Doumayrou.

Doumayrou then feeds the other wing Retiere and, just before Simmonds can shove him into touch, he flings a classy offload inside to the supporting Doumayrou, who finishes in the corner.

Out of nothing, La Rochelle are back in the game with an absolute pearl of a score.

West cannot convert from the touchline, however.

4:25PM

TRY SEXTON: Leinster 26 Benetton 7

It only took three minutes, but Leinster are back on the scoresheet.

Sexton began it all with a punchy burst following his trademark wraparound, before feeding Van der Flier inside the Benetton 22.

The flanker carried well, before offloading back to Sexton who scored under the posts. He converted his own try, too.

4:22PM

Both matches are back underway

La Rochelle haven't been beaten at home for eight months, but they're currently 14-0 down at home to Exeter.

Ringrose is still doing bits for Leinster at the RDS. A marvelous player.

4:17PM

Challenge Cup round-up

With the Champions Cup at half-time, let's have a round-up of the latest scores in Europe's second-tier competition.

• Calvisano 16 Cardiff Blues 38 (full-time)

• Bristol 45 Zebre 7

• Dragons 28 Castres 10

• Leicester Tigers 31 Pau 13

These games are about 10 minutes into the second half.

4:07PM

Half-time: La Rochelle 0 Exeter Chiefs 14

Wonderful defence from the Chiefs.

There's a hint of an overlap, but Hogg does brilliantly well to close down Retiere's space, with the La Rochelle winger only able to chuck a speculative offload inside as he's bundled into touch.

That offload lands in an Exeter hand, and White kicks the ball out. They're celebrating like they've won the thing!

4:06PM

Half-time: Leinster 19 Benetton 7

It's been all Leinster following Benetton's seven-pointer, and they seem very comfortable at the RDS, thanks to Ringrose's two tries.

4:05PM

La Rochelle pushing for a score

Ewers is penalised for a needless late shot on West, who gives La Rochelle a lineout five metres out from the Exeter line.

As half-time approaches, this would be gutting for Exeter, who have been comfortably the better side.

4:02PM

The pass from Simmonds; the finish from O'Flaherty

4:01PM

La Rochelle are reeling

14 points down to a sell-out crowd, at a stadium that you've not lost at all season.

And then your fly-half misses a pretty easy kick to get you some points on the board.

Not been La Rochelle's finest 37 minutes.

3:58PM

TRY O'FLAHERTY: La Rochelle 0 Exeter 14

What a finish that is from O'Flaherty!

Exeter win a penalty advantage from that five-metre scrum, but they don't need it.

White finds Simmonds, who throws a huge pass out to O'Flaherty. Fly-half West is defending O'Flaherty's channel, but he checks to step inside the New Zealander, with Rattiere's tackle almost pushing him over in the corner.

The one-handed finish is converted superbly by Simmonds. He is yet to miss a kick at goal this season.

3:55PM

TRY KELLEHER: Leinster 19 Benetton 7

Benetton couldn't hold out any longer, with Leinster keeping it tight. Following a burst from Healy, hooker Kelleher picks up swiftly and dives to score.

Sexton converts and Leinster have a bit of daylight, with five minutes still left on the Benetton sin-bin.

3:54PM

Madness at La Rochelle

La Rochelle scuttle back to heir five-metre line to cover an Exeter kick. They seem to have averted danger, but second-row Tanguy fancies himself as a scrum-half. He attempts to find West, for the clearing kick, but the pass flies miles over his head.

Exeter will have a five-metre attacking scrum.

3:52PM

Sin-bin for Benetton

Quaglio has been yellow-carded for repeated scrum infringements at the RDS.

Leimster smell blood. They have had a series of scrums 10 metres out from the Benetton line.

3:47PM

In other news...

The ruck is a mess.

About five La Rochelle tacklers off their feet around the ruck area, and Exeter get penalised.

But West misses touch for La Rochelle, so maybe it's evened out.

3:45PM

Exeter fight back

La Rochelle have been camped in the Exeter 22 for a few minutes but what a scrum from Williams.

Priso collapses under pressure and Exeter are able to clear.

3:42PM

Exeter clinging onto the lead

Exeter are under pressure at the scrum and La Rochelle win a penalty, that they kick into the Exeter 22.

West bizarrely opts for the boot, looking for Rattez cross-field inside the Exeter 22. Not quite sure why he kicked that, and Rattez knocks on into touch.

3:38PM

A lucky escape for Exeter

Williams is penalised for coming in the side on halfway, and Balès taps quickly.

He flings a long pass out to Rattez who thrashes down the wing. There's no stopping him and, for all intents and purposes, he scores.

But the TMO intervenes - Balès' pass was forward and the try does not stand. A wake-up call for the Chiefs.

3:35PM

Hogg's early touchfinder

3:32PM

TRY RINGROSE: Leinster 12 Benetton 7

And it's Ringrose again! He's known for his silky running lines and skill level, but that is pure strength.

He cuts a great angle and his leg drive gets him over the line for a one-handed finish. Sexton converts from in front of the sticks.

Leinster have, however, failed to tidy up the restart. Again.

3:30PM

More goings-on at the RDS

Leinster may have scored another here, we're off to the TMO...

3:28PM

TRY DENNIS: La Rochelle 0 Exeter 7

A brilliant attack from Exeter. O'Flaherty with the linebreak, Williams with the support and they find themselves within five metres of the La Rochelle line.

Vermeulen has a go in the tight, before Dennis barrels over.

Simmonds converts from virtually in front of the post, and that's a great start for the Chiefs.

3:26PM

TRY BUDD: Leinster 5 Benetton 7

And Benetton respond immediately! Italy second-row Budd shunts himself over from close-range, almost immediately from the restart, and Benetton get on the scoreboard.

Keatley converts and Benetton take an unexpected lead.

3:21PM

TRY RINGROSE: Leinster 5 Benetton 0

There's the first for Leinster, and it's Irish international Ringrose who brushes off a tackle close to the Benetton line, dotting down after five minutes.

Sexton's conversion from wide on the left touchline doesn't quite make it.

3:20PM

La Rochelle and Exeter testing the water

La Rochelle's West puts a scorching bomb up into the Bay of Biscay sun, but Hoog of Exeter takes comfortably.

A controlled if un-spectacular start at La Rochelle.

3:16PM

Underway at the RDS

Last season's losing finalists Leinster are hoping to get their campaign off to a firing start at home to Benetton.

Kick-off at La Rochelle is moments away, following a minute's silence.

3:12PM

Up next...

It took a while for those first two games to get up and running, but we were treated to some thrilling finishes, with both matches seemingly able to go either way.

Final scores:

• Bath 16 Ulster 17, 1pm

• Glasgow Warriors 13 Sale Sharks 7

Now onto the next two, where Exeter travel to a sold-out La Rochelle, and Leinster host Benetton.

2:57PM

Full-time: Bath 16 Ulster 17

Oh my! They nearly did it!

They were patient and strong, waiting for their moment, and then it comes.

A rapid offload under pressure sets Mercer away down the right, he gets to within 10 metres out, and he has Rokoduguni outside him, but his pass is intercepted from a tracking-back Stockdale, and that is that.

Inches away from a dramatic winning try.

2:54PM

Full-time: Glasgow Warriors 13 Sale Sharks 7

Sale's comeback attempt eventually failed. It was brave, they went from their own 22 to the Glasgow 22, but in the end they couldn't control the ball, knocking on as they built an attack.

Bath are still pushing at the Rec...

2:53PM

A lifeline for Bath!

Underhill comes up trumps to win a holding-on penalty at the Rec, and Bath go back into the Ulster half but Ulster win a holding-on penalty!

They kick for a lineout just inside the Bath half, but their throw isn't straight!

One last push for Bath -they have a scrum just inside their own half and the clock is in the red.

2:49PM

Entering the final stages...

Four minutes to go at the Rec and Ulster have just won a scrum penalty, which they will kick towards the Bath 22. It wasn't really goal-kickable.

Would you believe it. Sale have won a holding-on penalty with 20 seconds to go. They kick downfield, needing a try for the win, and the clock is in the red.

2:46PM

Glasgow take control

Sale have just shunted Glasgow backwards at the scrum, but the visitors seem to have been penalised, with most of their pack standing about looking totally incredulous.

Glasgow controlling possession inside the Sale 22 now. It would be a miraculous victory if Steve Diamond's men came back from here.

2:42PM

PENALTY COONEY - Bath 16 Ulster 17

It's good from Cooney. And what a last 10 minutes we have in store, the lead ding-donging one way and t'other.

Glasgow and Sale have just entered the last five minutes, and Glasgow lead 13-7 as it stands.

2:40PM

Ulster on the move

Roberts has just been pinged for going of his feet at an attacking ruck on halfway, so Ulster will now have an attacking lineout inside the Bath 22. Right call from referee Mitrea.

They win a penalty advantage from the lineout, too, and Cooney will kick at goal to give his side the lead.

2:38PM

PENALTY PRIESTLAND: Bath 16 Ulster 14

And it's good from Priestland.

He gave it a right ol' thump and it just had enough to scamper over.

Bath lead for the first time in the match.

2:37PM

Bath with a chance to lead

Ulster have just been penalised for a neck roll while in possession on the halfway line.

Ewels has a chat with Priestland - the Bath fly-half is going to have a shot at the posts...

2:31PM

TRY HAMER-WEBB: Bath 13 Ulster 14

He's only just come on!

It's the simplest score for Bath but it's awful defence from Ulster.

First-phase scrum possession on the Ulster 22, Bath simply go through the hands and Hamer-Webb brushes off a weak challenge from Addison to score in the corner. He'd only been on for 30 seconds. So easy, and Bath are back in the game.

Priestland converts from a tough angle and it's game on!

2:28PM

TRY LYTTLE - Bath 6 Ulster 14

Rob Lyttle breaks away down the right, he chips through, and F Burns and McConnochie are down injured so Bath have no cover.

Lyttle dots down in the corner unopposed, on his first European start. Cooney converts from out wide and Ulster now have some daylight.

2:26PM

TRY OOSTHUIZEN - Glasgow 13 Sale 7

Is the comeback on?

Oosthuizen has muscled his way over from short range for Sale.

MacGinty converts and Sale are suddenly back in it after spending most of the match comfortably second best.

2:19PM

From stagnant to end-to-end at Bath

Bath make good progress and Ewels bursts through a gap in the Ulster defence, but his offload lands straight into the hands of McCloskey and Ulster clear.

Jordi Murphy then makes a line break and wished he had more support - it could have been try-time if he did.

Meanwhile, the scrum-penalty lottery at Scotstoun has opened for ticket sales. Sale have just got one now.

2:16PM

Take the opportunity to put the kettle on

All a bit flat in both games at the start of this half.

Bath put some well-worked phases together, but they didn't really go anywhere in their 10 phases; the Ulster defence standing firm.

Obano and Stuart have been handfuls though, and the former has just been replaced.

2:11PM

Comedy at the Rec

Referee Marius Mitrea has just lost the pea in his whistle. He's been trying to get the attention of the players for a good few minutes - I think there was a knock-on and we just had to play on as nobody knew the referee had seen it - until eventually the pea returned.

Sale, meanwhile, have looked more purposeful but they have been inaccurate. And they're now on the wrong side of referee Ruiz at the scrum too, with Glasgow winning a penalty.

2:07PM

Both games are back underway

And Sale have started brighter this half, but have just lost a lineout deep inside the Glasgow 22.

Bath look for some territory to open the half.

2:04PM

Challenge Cup update

Calvisano 10 Cardiff Blues 17, as half-time approaches.

1:58PM

DTH Van der Merwe's try for Glasgow

1:52PM

HALF-TIME: Bath 6 Ulster 7

Following a massive hit from Obano on Coetzee, Bath's captain Ewels is penalised in front of the sticks for a no-arms tackle. Billy Burns could have nudged that over in his sleep, but he inexplicably misses.

I was going to say that three points wouldn't have been a bad result for Bath there as they were under some pressure, and it could have been far worse. As it is, they'll be very happy.

1:46PM

Sell-out in La Rochelle

Exeter Chiefs will be receiving an exceedingly partisan welcome on the Bay of Biscay; the Stade Marcel-Deflandre is sold out.

1:45PM

HALF-TIME: Glasgow 13 Sale 0

The teams trot off and it's 40 minutes to forget for Steven Diamond's men in Scotland. They never looked like threatening the scoreboard and Glasgow have been in control.

1:43PM

Any Cardiff Blues fans about?

If so, you'll be glad to hear that a Morgan try and Evans conversion have given you a 7-0 lead against Calvisano in the Challenge Cup.

1:41PM

TRY VAN DER MERWE - Glasgow 13 Sale 0

Van der Merwe has got Yarde on toast at the minute, and the Canadian has just cut a corking line off a spinning Johnson offload to go over in the corner.

But he ran past Yarde as if he wasn't there - the England winger got nowhere near him.

Hastings converts and Sale are really up against it.

1:39PM

Cooney's try for Ulster

1:38PM

Whoops

Mike Williams drops the restart - a dolly - and now Ulster have a fantastic attacking position inside the Bath 22.

No way through for Sale at Glasgow thus far, either, and the visitors have just been penalised at the scrum, too.

1:36PM

PENALTY F BURNS - Bath 6 Ulster 7

Ulster's Coetzee has been caught offside, and the referee is having a chat with captain Henderson.

Burns will have an easy shot at three points, just outside the visitors' 22.

Interesting to note that, after that early miss, Priestland has immediately relinquished goal-kicking responsibilities to Burns.

And his attempt is successful.

1:32PM

PENALTY F BURNS - Bath 3 Ulster 7

What a strike from Freddie Burns!

Ulster are penalised for a high tackle, and then Burns has a shot at goal from halfway and it just reaches the crossbar.

1:29PM

PENALTY HASTINGS - Glasgow 6 Sale 0

England hooker Rob Webber has been penalised for a high tackle on Hastings and he will have another long-range attempt on goal.

This was is good and Glasgow increase their lead.

1:27PM

Prop attack!

The leading tacklers in both matches are...props!

Ross Harrison for Sale against Glasgow (10) and Marty Moore for Ulster against Bath (7).

Hastings is having another long-range shot at goal for Glasgow...

And it's wide.

1:20PM

PENALTY HASTINGS - Glasgow 3 Sale 0

A nice strike from Scotland international Hastings gives Glasgow the lead at Scotstoun.

1:18PM

TRY COONEY - Bath 0 Ulster 7

Out of nowhere!

Chudley gets a taste of his own medicine, as his box-kick is charged down on halfway by Cooney. He uses good footballing to skills to hack on and score an unopposed try under the posts.

Converted by Burns.

1:14PM

The two home teams are pushing hard...

Both Bath and Glasgow have looked the more dangerous with ball in hand, but Sale and Ulster are scrambling to defend well, and both matches remain scoreless after 10 minutes.

There's still a bit of pushing and shoving going on at Scotstoun, as Chudley charges down Cooney's box-kick at the Rec, but the bounce isn't kind for him.

1:11PM

A worry for Mercer

He's currently down injured.

Meanwhile, Sale are slightly under the cosh at Scotstoun as Glasgow are on the attack. Hastings drops into the pocket for a drop-goal, but it sails wide.

Mercer is back up and looks OK to continue.

1:07PM

Scrum indiscretions

Bath's Beno Obano is penalised at the scrum at the Rec, while Jake Cooper-Woolley wins a scrum penalty for Sale at Glasgow.

Both matches still 0-0.

1:04PM

Good start for Bath

They've started with great tempo, and Rokoduguni does well to take a Chudley box-kick.

Ulster are then pinged for not rolling away, and Priestland will have a shot at goal from just inside the Ulster half, but he can't convert from a long way out. It was fairly central though.

Meanwhile, there are some handbags at Scotstoun. Marland Yarde in the thick of it.

1:00PM

The teams are out at both grounds

Italy's Marius Mitrea will take charge at the Rec, while France's Alexandre Ruiz is the man with the whistle in Glasgow.

12:50PM

Team news for Glasgow Warriors vs Sale Sharks

Glasgow starting XV: 15. Tommy Seymour, 14. Ratu Tagive, 13. Nick Grigg, 12. Samuel Johnson, 11. DTH van der Merwe, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. George Horne, 1. Oli Kebble, 2. Fraser Brown,3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Robert Harley, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Ryan Wilson, 7. Callum Gibbins (c), 8. Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Alex Allan, 18. D'Arcy Rae, 19. Tim Swinson, 20. Chris Fusaro, 21. Ali Price, 22. Peter Horne, 23. Kyle Steyn.

Sale starting XV: 15. Simon Hammersley, 14. Marland Yarde, 13. Cameron Redpath, 12. Luke James, 11. Byron McGuigan, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Embrose Papier, 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Rob Webber, 3. Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4. Bryn Evans (c), 5. James Phillips, 6. Jean-Luc du Preez, 7. Ben Curry, 8. Dan du Preez.

Replacements: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Willgriff John, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Matthew Postlewhaite, 20. Jono Ross, 21. Fergus Warr, 22. Robert du Preez, 23. Chris Ashton.

12:45PM

Team news for Bath vs Ulster

Bath starting XV: 15. Freddie Burns, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Will Chudley, 1. Beno Obano , 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Josh McNally, 5. Charlie Ewels (c), 6. Mike Williams, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Zach Mercer.
Replacements: 16. Jack Walker, 17. Lewis Boyce, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Max Wright, 23. Gabe Hamer-Webb.

Ulster starting XV: 15. Will Addison, 14. Rob Lyttle, 13. Luke Marshall, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Billy Burns, 9. John Cooney, 1. Jack McGrath, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Marty Moore, 4. Iain Henderson (c), 5. Sam Carter, 6. Matt Rea, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Marcell Coetzee.
Replacements: 16. Adam McBurney, 17. Eric O'Sullivan, 18. Tom O'Toole, 19. Alan O'Connor, 20. Sean Reidy, 21. David Shanahan, 22. Angus Curtis, 23. Louis Ludik.

12:37PM

Champions Cup predictions

Fancy some pre-match reading ahead of this afternoon's matches? Our columnist Will Greenwood has offered his predictions on the pool stages. You can read that here.

12:27PM

Good afternoon!

Hello everyone, and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of this afternoon's six Champions Cup fixtures. We will be bringing you all the tries, scores, and big moments on a fascinating afternoon of European rugby.

First up, we have two Pro14-Gallagher Premiership clashes, as Bath host Ulster at the Rec, while Sale Sharks travel to Scotland, to take on Dave Rennie's Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun.

The 3.15pm kick-offs see Exeter Chiefs travel to the Bay of Biscay to take on La Rochelle. The French outfit have blown hot and cold this season, but one thing is assured; they are a different proposition at home. They have not won away in eight attempts, but they have not lost at the Satde Marcel-Deflandre this season, either. Alongside that, last season's runner-ups Leinster welcome Benetton to the RDS, and anything other than a resounding home victory would be a serious shock.

At 5.30pm, Ospreys - without the bulk of their Wales internationals - welcome Munster to the Liberty Stadium. Ospreys have been stuck in a torrid run of form in the Pro14, while Munster have been flying high, following the addition of Stephen Larkham and Graham Rowntree to Johann van Graan's coaching set-up. Concurrently, Quins travel to the fearsome Stade Marcel-Michelin to take on French grandees Clermont Auvergne.

In case you missed it last night, the 25th edition of the tournament kicked off with Gloucester facing a star-studded Toulouse team at Kingsholm. Gloucester came flying out the blocks - taking a 20-9 half-time lead. But a superbly controlled second-half fightback from the arsitocratic French, spearheaded by the masterful Romain Ntamack, led to 25 unanswered points for last season's semi-finalists. Toulouse ran out 25-20 winners.