Champions Cup semi-finals team news: Scotland internationals in action - including an 150th appearance

The semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup take place this weekend as Leinster host Toulon and Bath head to reigning champions Bordeaux Bègles.

There will be Scottish involvement in both matches as the likes of Ben White and Finn Russell look to progress to the final in Bilbao later this month. It starts on Saturday with White’s Toulon heading to the Aviva Stadium.

The 27-year-old retains his place in his side’s starting XV for the match ahead of French counterpart Baptiste Serin. The two time Six Nations winners returned from a short injury spell last month but has so far been able to displace White who started their Round of 16 and quarter-final wins over Stormers and Glasgow Warriors respectively.

Russell aiming to reach Champions Cup final for first time since 2020 defeat with Racing 92

The former Leicester Tigers half-back was crucial to Toulon’s victories in both and will look for a measure of redemption at the stadium where Scotland’s hopes of winning the 2026 Six Nations Championship were ended back in March. Opposite him will be Irish counterpart Jamison Gibson-Park who White said he was once again looking forward to testing himself against.

Meanwhile, Bath have also named their starting XV and replacements for the second of the two semis as they travel to Bordeaux. It will come as no surprise that Russell retains his place at fly-half in their line-up.

The 33-year-old is looking to progress to the final and get his hands on this trophy for the first time having been on the losing side in 2020 with Racing 92. His team lost that final 31-27 to and Exeter Chiefs side that included fellow Scotland internationals Stuart Hogg, Jonny Gray, Alec Hepburn, Sam Skinner and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

Also named in the Bath team for this weekend’s match is Scotland back rower Josh Bayliss, who will start at blindside flanker for the visitors. The 16-times capped former England youth international will make his 150th appearance for the club in the fixture.

Centres Cam Redpath and Chris Harris are not named in the Bath team with the former out injured and the latter not selected. Both matches will be shown live on Premier Sports.

Your next rugby read: Rugby World Cup winner weighs in on Scotland's capture of young All Blacks talent