With the opening EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures just days away, please click below for Round 1 preview information including fixtures, pools, match officials and selected club and individual player performance data.
Round 1 notes
Clubs from eight countries – Ireland, France, South Africa, Wales, England, Italy, Scotland and Georgia – will compete in the 2024/25 tournament in three pools over four pool stage rounds.
The four-highest ranked clubs from each of the pools, as well as four clubs from the Investec Champions Cup, will qualify for the Round of 16.
The tournament kicks off on Friday with two matches. 2024 Challenge Cup finalists Gloucester Rugby start their campaign hosting Edinburgh Rugby in Pool 3. At the same kick-off time, Welsh side Dragons RFC will host French outfit Montpellier Hérault Rugby.
The Tbilisi-based Black Lion, who made their EPCR Challenge Cup debut last year, host tournament debutants RC Vannes in what will be an historic meeting. RC Vannes are making strides in their debut TOP14 season including an impressive win away to Stade Rochelais last weekend.
Having got through to last season’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16, the South African club Toyota Cheetahs will play their Round 1 fixture against USAP the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam.
Five previous tournament winners will be among the contenders this season – Section Paloise (2000), Gloucester Rugby (2006, 2015), Montpellier Hérault Rugby (2016, 2021), Cardiff Rugby (previously Cardiff Blues, 2018) and Lyon Olympique Universitaire (2022).
A total of 19 clubs have won the Challenge Cup since the first final in 1997: Bourgoin (1997), Colomiers (1998), ASM Clermont Auvergne (1999, 2007, 2019), Section Paloise (2000), Harlequins (2001, 2004, 2011), Sale Sharks (2002, 2005), Wasps (2003), Gloucester Rugby (2006, 2015), Bath Rugby (2008), Northampton Saints (2009, 2014), Cardiff Rugby (2010, 2018), Biarritz Olympique (2012), Leinster Rugby (2013), Montpellier Hérault Rugby (2016, 2021), Stade Français Paris (2017), Bristol Bears (2020), Lyon (2022), RC Toulon (2023), Hollywoodbets Sharks (2024).
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