EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4: Pool stage concludes with every match crucial

• EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage reaches final round
• Key outcomes at stake in every match
• EPCR Challenge Cup qualification spots up for grabs, with top rankings, home advantage for knock-out stage still at stake for qualified clubs

Top ranking, home knock-outs, final qualification spots and for some the end of the road, the stakes are high this weekend as the EPCR Challenge Cup Pool stage concludes. Kicking off on Friday 17 January, there is plenty on the line in the final nine fixtures, with every match a crucial decider.

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

FORMAT – AT A GLANCE

• The four highest-ranked clubs in each EPCR Challenge Cup Pool and the fifth-ranked clubs from each of the four Investec Champions Cup Pools will qualify for the Round of 16.
• All clubs will be ranked in descending order based firstly on their ranking in their Pool and subsequently on the number of match points they have accumulated, to create an overall ranking from 1 to 16.
• The pool winners will be ranked 1 to 3, the second-placed clubs will be ranked 4 to 6, the two highest-ranked third-placed clubs will be ranked 7 and 8.
• Clubs ranked 1 to 8 will have home advantage in the Round of 16.
• The qualifying Investec Champions Cup clubs will be ranked 9 to 12, the remaining third-placed club will be ranked 13, and the fourth-placed clubs will be ranked 14 to 16.
• See the full rules here.

KEY MATCH INFORMATION

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.

Ryan Louwrens of Montpellier Hérault Rugby passes the ball to Arthur Vincent during Round 1 of the EPCR Challenge Cup at Dragons RFC. The French team are looking to secure a Round 16 home advantage. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

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.

Ospreys in action against Newcastle Falcons in Round 3. The Welsh team are looking for maximum points to secure a home advantage in the Round of 16. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

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

Darcy Graham of Edinburgh Rugby during the Round 2 of EPCR Challenge Cup at home against Aviron Bayonnais. Edinburgh are currently top of Pool 3 and seeking qualification at the top of the table. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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 HERE to find out where to watch the EPCR Challenge Cup.

EPCR Challenge Cup key links

• Pool tables
• Fixtures and results
• Line-ups
• Tournament rules, format, and qualification