Ahead of this weekend’s EPCR Challenge Cup matches, please CLICK HERE for Round 3 preview information including fixtures, pools, match officials, and selected club and individual player performance data.
Round 3 notes
- Round 3 of 4, with 18 clubs in three pools of six. The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the knockout stage.
- With a win and a loss each in the opening Rounds, fifth-placed Gloucester Rugby kick off Round 3 as they host third-placed Scarlets RFC on Friday night. The English side are just two points behind first as they seek qualification.
- USAP – currently fourth in Pool 1 and spurred on by an impressive win over two-time Investec Champions Cup winners Stade Rochelais in the TOP14 less than two weeks ago – host third-placed Cardiff Rugby, who are also currently third in the URC and will be looking to replicate that form in Round 3. Kicking off at the same time on Saturday, newcomers RC Vannes welcome Edinburgh Rugby. Both teams currently have 6 points in Pool 3, in what will be a top of the table clash.
- Pool 1 table toppers Connacht Rugby host second-placed Lyon Olympique Universitaire for their hotly-anticipated clash, while Pool 2 leaders Montpellier Hérault Rugby will head back into EPCR Challenge Cup action full of confidence as they welcome Emirates Lions, fourth.
- With a win and a loss each, Aviron Bayonnais, currently bottom of Pool 3 with the lowest points difference, travel to Tbilisi and invitational club Black Lion, currently fourth.
- Newcastle Falcons eye their first pool-stage win when they travel to the Ospreys, as are Zebre Parma as they head to Amsterdam’s NRCA Stadium to face invitational club the Toyota Cheetahs in a must-win tie. With a win and a draw on their score sheet, the Cheetahs are also looking to secure a first win.
- With just one point separating them in Pool 2, Dragons RFC and Section Paloise will close out the weekend, as the French club look to extend their advantage as they head to Wales.
CLICK HERE to find out where to watch the EPCR Challenge Cup.
EPCR Challenge Cup key links
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