EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals spots secured as eight clubs take one step closer to Cardiff
- EPCR Media
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Eight of Europe and South Africa’s leading rugby clubs are one step closer to the EPCR Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff this May, following the first round of knockout action this weekend.
Edinburgh Rugby and Emirates Lions kicked off the weekend's action at Hive Stadium, with Wes Goosen scoring a try for the Scots just one minute into the game. A dominant first-half performance saw Edinburgh lead 17-0 at the break. Although the Lions fought back in the second half, including a try from Francke Horn just after the restart and another from Jaco Visagie in the closing minutes, Edinburgh held firm to win 24-12 and secure a home quarter-final against Vodacom Bulls next Saturday.
Also on Friday night, Section Paloise hosted Premiership leaders Bath Rugby in another thrilling encounter. Bath struck early with Will Muir’s try just one minute in. The visitors dominated the first half, scoring four tries to Section Paloise’s one. Despite Fabien Brau-Boirie's two second half tries for the French side, Bath’s seven-try performance sealed a convincing 49-24 victory, securing their place in the quarter finals where they will face Premiership rivals Gloucester Rugby.
Saturday’s action began with the Vodacom Bulls travelling to Aviron Bayonnais with the hosts taking an early lead thanks to a penalty from Baptiste Germain. The teams exchanged tries throughout the match but the Bulls were ahead at half-time, 15-8. The South Africans came out strong in the second half with a try from David Kriel and although Aviron Bayonnais quickly responded, this only served to fire up the visitors and it was the Bulls who ultimately sealed their place in the quarter-finals with a 32-22 victory.
Gloucester Rugby travelled to GGL Stadium for their clash with Montpellier Hérault Rugby. It was a less-than-ideal start for the visitors, who conceded two tries in the opening nine minutes. However, they responded by scoring two tries of their own and by halftime, Montpellier held a narrow three-point lead. Despite being down a player, Gloucester took the lead for the first time in the 57th minute. Santiago Carreras, the Argentina international, made a crucial penalty in the final moments of the match, securing a 22-25 victory and sending Gloucester into the quarter finals to meet Bath Rugby next Sunday.
USAP welcomed former Investec Champions Cup side Racing 92 to Perpignan, with the visitors the first to flex their might as Owen Farrell slotted a penalty to open the scoring. Both teams exchanged tries, leading to a half-time score of 11-10. However, Racing 92 came out strong in the second half, with Jordan Joseph scoring a try just one minute after the restart, followed by a conversion from Farrell. Racing 92 held on to secure a hard-fought 24-18 victory, earning them a quarter final spot against Connacht Rugby.
Connacht Rugby played host to Cardiff Rugby in Galway on Saturday night, taking the initiative early with Matthew Devine scoring a try within the first three minutes. Cardiff responded briefly, claiming the lead after Rey Lee-Lo's try in the 37th minute but Connacht went into the break with a 14-8 advantage. At the 60-minute mark, Welsh fans were hopeful after Josh Adam’s try narrowed the gap to just one point, but Connacht held firm to see off the Welsh. Still undefeated in the EPCR Challenge Cup this season, Connacht Rugby will now enjoy home advantage in their upcoming quarter-final clash with Racing 92 next weekend.
2022 Champions Lyon Olympique Universitaire hosted last season's winners Hollywoodbets Sharks, and it was an electric start for the South African club, who put the first points on the board after five minutes. It wasn’t long however before Lyon Olympique Universitaire found their way back into it through Alexandre Tchaptchet which, together with a Theo William cross just three minutes later, secured the hosts an eight-point lead which just kept on growing. Despite a late surge by the defending champions, nothing could be done to reduce the deficit, with a final score of 34-21 to the hosts, who march on to a quarter final clash with Ospreys.
The Ospreys welcomed Scarlets for a Welsh derby at Swansea.com Stadium, with the hosts taking an early lead thanks to Adam Beard's try after one minute, followed by captain Jac Morgan. The tries kept coming for Ospreys, with four in the first half to Scarlets’ one. The Ospreys continued their strong performance in the second half with Jack Walsh and Daniel Kasende adding tries. Scarlets' Eddie James scored late but it wasn't enough, with the Ospreys winning 36-14. The victory secured them a home EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final against Lyon Olympique Universitaire next Saturday
STATISTICS
Round of 16 – Top Performers
Points: 14 Ciaran Donoghue (Bath Rugby)
Carries: 22 Dewi Lake (Ospreys)
Metres: 167 Freddy Duguivalu (USAP)
Defenders beaten: 9 Tino Mavesere (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Line-outs won: 8 Darrien Landsberg (Emirates Lions)
Tackles: 26 Oisin Dowling (Connacht Rugby)
Round of 16 – Key Stats
Ciaran Donoghue (Bath Rugby) scored a round-high 14 points at the weekend; he was flawless off the tee.
Dewi Lake (Ospreys) made more carries than any other player in the Round of 16, a total of 22. Five were dominant and he scored a try.
Wes Goosen and Darcy Graham (both Edinburgh Rugby) were both in the top three players for metres made at the weekend: they made 156 and 143 respectively.
Oisin Dowling and Sean Jansen (both Connacht Rugby) made more tackles than any other players in the Round of 16: 26 and 22 respectively. They also each won a turnover.
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby) made two dominant tackles and won three turnovers at the weekend.
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