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EPCR Challenge Cup - Round 4 preview

Kicking off what is set to be a thrilling weekend, Connacht Rugby will travel to Cardiff Rugby aiming for the highest possible ranking for the home knock-outs having already secured a Round of 16 spot from Pool 1.

Meanwhile a win for the hosts could secure their qualification, and a bonus point victory could put them in with a chance of a home Round of 16. With the Final being held in their home city at the Principality Stadium, there will be extra motivation to put themselves in the very best position on the Road to Cardiff.

At the same time, Newcastle Falcons welcome Montpellier Hérault Rugby to Kingston Park with the French side already qualified in Pool 2 and determined to keep their spot at the top of the table with a win to secure a Round of 16 home advantage.

Four fateful fixtures are planned for Saturday, with Section Paloise and Ospreys the first to do battle to start a super Saturday. Equal on 10 points in Pool 2 after both winning their Round 3 games and both already qualified, this will be a battle to see who will finish highest in the Pool.

Pool 2 will come to its conclusion as Emirates Lions host Dragons RFC, equal on five points, in what will be a head-to-head to decide the final qualification spot from the Pool.

The last two games of the day follow in the evening as Scarlets welcome RC Vannes and Toyota Cheetahs travel to Lyon Olympique Universitaire.

RC Vannes are currently fourth in Pool 3 on seven points while Scarlets are a single point behind – a win for either will secure a place in the knock-outs.

Sunday will see three thrilling fixtures to wrap up the EPCR Challenge Cup Pool stage. Kicking off at the same time are two Pool 3 matches as Edinburgh Rugby host Black Lion and Gloucester Rugby travel to Aviron Bayonnais for their final chances to qualify.

The only Pool with no clubs qualified so far, the Scots are currently top of the table but in a tight pool they still need a win to secure qualification and a home Round of 16 tie. Meanwhile the Georgians sit in the bottom spot needing a bonus-point win to give them a chance of progressing.

Simultaneously, Gloucester Rugby head to France, tied on nine points with hosts Aviron Bayonnais and both aiming to win and set themselves up with a home Round of 16 fixture.

An incredible and decisive weekend of rugby will conclude with Zebre Parma hosting USAP. In a tight Pool 1, a win for the French club, who are currently fourth, could mathematically see them jump up the table into a home-advantage qualifying spot, while Zebre Parma will be looking for a bonus-point win to give them the best chance of qualification for the knock-out stage.


Click below for Round 4 preview information including fixtures, pools, match officials, and selected club and individual player performance data.





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