EPCR Challenge Cup – Round 1 review
- EPCR Media
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
The EPCR Challenge Cup roared back this weekend with nine action-packed Round 1 games. Please find below a comprehensive review including results, updated pools, key data and top performers.
CLICK BELOW FOR ROUND 1 REVIEW STATS
Round 1 – Top Performers
Points: Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) 17
Carries: Alun Lawrence (Cardiff Rugby) 22
Metres: Zac Ward (Ulster Rugby) 139
Defenders beaten: Gibson Popoali’i (US Montauban) 13
Line-outs won: Marvin Okuya (Lyon Olympique Universitaire) 11
Tackles: Harri Deaves (Ospreys) 27
Round 1 – Key Stats
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) leads all scorers with 17 points (1st in round) and 6 successful goals (2nd in round).
Lester Etien (Stade Français Paris) assisted three tries (1st in round) and beat 6 defenders at the weekend (3rd in round).
Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby) scored 2 tries (1st in round) and made 4 offloads (1st in round).
Gideon van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs) topped the turnover statistics with 5 turnovers won (1st in round).
Beka Shvangiradze (Lyon Olympique Universitaire) dominated defensively with 23 successful tackles (2nd in round) and 20 defensive ruck entries (1st in round).
Ulster Rugby sent a clear message in Friday’s season opener, crushing last year’s semi-finalists Racing 92 with a commanding 61–7 home victory.
Super Saturday delivered more drama: Stade Français Paris roared back to beat Cardiff Rugby, while Benetton Rugby fought from behind in South Africa to down the Lions and launch their EPCR Challenge Cup in style.
Montpellier Hérault Rugby mounted a second-half surge to overcome Georgia’s Black Lion, before Newcastle Red Bulls stunned last season’s finalists Lyon Olympique Universitaire in a fierce contest.
Zebre Parma closed out the day with a statement win over newcomers US Montauban, running in five tries to two.
USAP and Dragons RFC opened Sunday’s action at Stade Aime Giral, with the French taking a commanding 41-17 win – the side’s first victory since June. Ospreys and Connacht Rugby followed, with the Welsh roaring back from 0-21 to stun Connacht in a gritty, home-turf comeback for the ages.
Exeter Chiefs closed the Round with an expert display at Sandy Park, powering in six tries to brush aside the South African Toyota Cheetahs and getting their campaign off to a near perfect start.