EPCR Challenge Cup - Round 1 Preview
With the opening EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures just days away, please find below the Round 1 preview, including fixtures, pools, match officials and selected club and player performance data.
CLICK BELOW FOR ROUND 1 PREVIEW
Round 1 notes
The 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup features 18 clubs from eight nations - Ireland, France, South Africa, Wales, England, Scotland, Italy and Georgia - competing across three pools and four pool stage rounds.
Round 1 takes place from 16 to 18 October, with each club facing four different opponents, home or away, during the pool stage.
There are two rule changes for the 2026/27 tournament, designed to increase competitiveness and jeopardy until the final whistle.
Round of 16 qualification: The three highest-ranked clubs in each pool will qualify automatically for the Round of 16. The remaining three places will go to the three clubs with the highest number of match points across all three pools, regardless of which pool they are in. Four clubs will also drop down from the Investec Champions Cup to join the Round of 16.
Offensive Bonus Point: A team will now earn an attacking bonus point when it scores three or more tries than its opponent.
The EPCR Challenge Cup will span eight weekends, comprising four pool rounds and four knockout rounds, culminating in the 2027 Final at OL Stadium in Lyon on Friday, 21 May.
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