The Board and the General Assembly comprising of six unions, three leagues and independent directors of EPCR, the organisers of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, are pleased to confirm that is has unanimously invited Dominic McKay to continue as Independent Non-Executive Chairman.
McKay will continue as EPCR Chairman for a second three-year term leading the organisation through to the end of June 2028.
During his first term, McKay undertook an Executive Chairman role guiding the organisation through the end of the Covid period and re-energising the Governance and Executive teams at EPCR.
With his recent appointment as CEO at the Scottish Events Campus, he will undertake the Chair role in a Non-Executive capacity.
On behalf of the Board, Independent Non-Executive Director Arnaud Nourry said: “We are delighted Dominic has agreed to stay on for a second term as EPCR Chairman. Dominic received the full and unanimous support from his Board, League and Union colleagues and it is testament to how highly-regarded he is by the rugby family.
“Dominic has spearheaded the growth at EPCR with the new team and we are in a very strong position as we move into his second term.
“We would like to recognise all his work so far, congratulate him on his recent appointment as CEO of SEC, and thank him for agreeing to extend his term as Chairman, which he will continue alongside this new role with the support of both EPCR and SEC."
Kevin Potts, CEO of the Irish Rugby Football Union, has been appointed to the Board of EPCR, representing the Celtic unions and FIR.
Potts joined the IRFU in 2005, became the COO in 2014 and was appointed CEO in 2021. Prior to his joining the IRFU, he occupied a series of senior management positions and brings a wealth of rugby and business knowledge to the EPCR Board.
Potts replaces Andrea Rinaldo as representative of the United Rugby Championship and will chair EPCR’s Sporting and Tournaments Committee. Rinaldo steps down after six years serving on EPCR’s Board.
EPCR can also confirm Mark McCafferty will continue in his role as independent director. McCafferty has been involved with EPCR since its inception following the transition from ERC in 2014, in his roles with Premiership Rugby Limited and the PRO14 and now as one of three independent directors, alongside Arnaud Nourry and McKay.
The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup welcomed over 1 million spectators to stadia across the Pool stages, with millions more viewing the matches via broadcast partners around the globe.
The Round of 16 fixtures, taking place on 4/5/6 April, were announced on Wednesday 22 January, marking the beginning of the knockout stages and continuation of the Road to Cardiff 25.
The 30th season concludes in Cardiff, where the very first final took place, with the EPCR Challenge Cup Final taking place on Friday 23 May and Investec Champions Cup Final taking place on Saturday 24 May at Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium.
The EPCR Board is made up of the following members:
Dominic McKay (Independent Non-Executive Chairman)
Jacques Raynaud (EPCR CEO)
Martin Anayi (United Rugby Championship CEO)
Emmanuel Eschalier (Ligue Nationale de Rugby CEO)
Simon Massie-Taylor (Premiership Rugby Limited CEO)
Mark McCafferty (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Arnaud Nourry (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Kevin Potts (IRFU CEO)
Bill Sweeney (RFU CEO)
INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP
Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)
Friday 4 April
Match 3: Northampton Saints (3) v ASM Clermont Auvergne (14), cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens (8pm)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby
Saturday 5 April
Match 4: RC Toulon (4) v Saracens (13), Stade Félix Mayol (1.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / Premier Sports / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 2: Leinster Rugby (2) v Harlequins (15), Croke Park (3pm)
RTE / Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 6: Castres Olympique (6) v Benetton Rugby (11), Stade Pierre-Fabre (4pm)
beIN SPORTS / France TV / EPCRugby.TV / PremierSports / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 8: Stade Rochelais (8) v Munster Rugby (9), Stade Marcel Deflandre (6.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / PremierSports / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 7: Glasgow Warriors (7) v Leicester Tigers (10), Scotstoun Stadium (8pm)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby
Sunday 6 April
Match 1: Union Bordeaux-Bègles (1) v Ulster Rugby (16), Stade Chaban-Delmas (1.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / PremierSports / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 5: Stade Toulousain (5) v Sale Sharks (12), Stadium Municipal de Toulouse (4pm)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / Premier Sports / SuperSport / Flo Rugby
Quarter-finals - 11/12/13 April
QF 1: Winner R16 1 v Winner R16 8
QF 2: Winner R16 2 v Winner R16 7
QF 3: Winner R16 3 v Winner R16 6
QF 4: Winner R16 4 v Winner R16 5
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage
Semi-finals - 2/3/4 May
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 4
SF 2: Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 3
NB The matches will be played in Europe and where relevant the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage
2025 Investec Champions Cup Final - Saturday 24 May, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (2.45pm local time).
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)
Friday 4 April
Match 3: Edinburgh Rugby (3) v Emirates Lions (14), Hive Stadium (8pm)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / Supersport / FloRugby
Match 7: Section Paloise (7) v Bath Rugby (10), Stade du Hameau (9pm)
beIN SPORTS / EPCRugby.TV / FloRugby
Saturday 5 April
Match 6: Aviron Bayonnais (6) v Vodacom Bulls (11), Stade Jean-Dauger (1.30pm)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / EPCRugby.tv / FloRugby
Match 2: Montpellier Hérault Rugby (2) v Gloucester Rugby (15), GGL Stadium (6.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / EPCRugby.TV / FloRugby
Match 1: Connacht Rugby (1) v Cardiff Rugby (16), Dexcom Stadium (8pm)
PremierSports / beIN Sports / FloRugby
Match 8: USAP (8) v Racing 92 (9), Stade Aimé Giral (9pm)
beIN SPORTS / EPCRugby.TV / FloRugby
Sunday 6 April
Match 4: Ospreys (4) v Scarlets (13), Swansea.com Stadium (5.30pm)
S4C / beIN SPORTS / EPCRugby.TV / FloRugby
Match 5: Lyon Olympique Universitaire (5) v Hollywoodbets Sharks (12), Matmut Stadium de Gerland (6.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / epcrugby.tv / FloRugby
Quarter-finals - 11/12/13 April
QF 1: winner R16 1 v winner R16 8
QF 2: winner R16 2 v winner R16 7
QF 3: winner R16 3 v winner R16 6
QF 4: winner R16 4 v winner R16 5
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage.
Semi-finals - 2/3/4 May
SF 1: winner QF 1 v winner QF 4
SF 2: winner QF 2 v winner QF 3
NB The matches will be played in Europe and where relevant the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage.
2025 EPCR Challenge Cup Final - Friday, 23 May; Principality Stadium Cardiff (8pm local time)
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