EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16: Match by-match guide as knockout stages begin

The EPCR Challenge Cup returns to action this weekend with the first stage of the knockouts.

Over the weekend's eight matches, EPCR Challenge Cup standouts such as Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby), Finn Russell (Bath Rugby), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby) and Jac Morgan (Ospreys) will also be aiming to make an impact ahead of the British & Irish Lions squad announcement on May 8. With this competition being their best opportunity to showcase their skills, their performances in the knockout stages could prove to be pivotal.

Edinburgh Rugby v Emirates Lions

Friday, April 4 – Hive Stadium

The EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 kicks off with Edinburgh Rugby hosting Emirates Lions at Hive Stadium.

The Scots secured a home knockout spot finishing top of a tightly contested pool and qualifying in third place after victories over Black Lion, Aviron Bayonnais and RC Vannes, with a loss to Gloucester Rugby.

Emirates Lions, ranked 14th, earned their spot with a strong win over Dragons RFC (60-10) in the final pool stage round, alongside victories against Section Paloise and losses to Ospreys and Montpellier Hérault Rugby.

The two teams have never clashed in the EPCR Challenge Cup but they did meet in the United Rugby Championship this season, where the Emirates Lions won 55-21 in Johannesburg. However, in last season's EPCR Challenge Cup, Edinburgh Rugby made it further than the Emirates Lions, reaching the quarter finals.

Section Paloise v Bath Rugby

Friday, April 4 – Stade de Hameau

Kicking off at the same time, Section Paloise host Bath Rugby, with the English side qualifying after finishing fifth in their Investec Champions Cup pool.

While Section Paloise had a mixed pool stage with an equal number of wins and losses, Alex Desperes is the competition’s top points scorer this season with 52, and he has also made the most kicks at 45. The team have also won the most scrums (29) this season.

Bath Rugby’s only victory in the Investec Champions Cup came at home to ASM Clermont Auvergne, however the team had the joint-best goal kick success rate (93.8%) among the teams in the Investec Champions Cup pool stages, with Finn Russell making 12 out of 13 goal kicks.

The two last met in the EPCR Challenge Cp in the 2016/17 season, with Bath Rugby beating Section Paloise on both occasions.

Aviron Bayonnais v Vodacom Bulls

Saturday, April 5 – Stade Jean Dauger

Aviron Bayonnais will meet Vodacom Bulls to open the second matchday of the Round of 16. The Vodacom Bulls qualified after finishing fifth in their Investec Champions Cup pool, with their only win in the pool stage coming against Stade Français Paris.

Hosts Aviron Bayonnais earned a home knockout spot with victories over Scarlets, Black Lion and Gloucester Rugby.

The two sides have never met in the EPCR Challenge Cup before, but with Vodacom Bulls shining bright in the URC currently third in the table, and Aviron Bayonnais equally impressive in fourth in the TOP14, expect a big clash.

Montpellier Hérault Rugby v Gloucester Rugby

Saturday, April 5 – GGL Stadium

Next up will be Montpellier Hérault Rugby against Gloucester Rugby, both two-time winners of the competition.

Montpellier Hérault Rugby secured a home knockout spot after an unbeaten pool stage which saw them qualify in second. Gloucester Rugby had wins over Edinburgh Rugby and Scarlets but lost to RC Vannes and Aviron Bayonnais.

The two have never met in the EPCR Challenge Cup, however they did come together in the 2019 Investec Champions Cup pool stage, where they each took a win off the other at home.

Connacht Rugby v Cardiff Rugby

Saturday, April 5 – Dexcom Stadium

The top-ranked team Connacht Rugby take on Cardiff Rugby at Dexcom Stadium.

The two clashed in Round 4, with Connacht Rugby taking a bonus-point win to confirm a perfect 20-point pool stage. Connacht’s form so far this season is reflected in the stats, which show the Irish side having averaged the most carries per game (144), post-contact metres per game (128) and metres per possession (12.3) in the competition so far.

Cardiff’s qualification came thanks to a win against Toyota Cheetahs, a losing bonus point against USAP and a try bonus point against Lyon Olympique Universitaire. The Welsh side brought an impressive tackling game to their Round 4 clash with Connacht, with four of the top five tacklers in Round 4 Cardiff players: Alun Lawrence (26), Teddy Williams (22), Alex Mann (21) and Rhys Barratt (20).

Although Cardiff lost to Connacht in their most recent URC meeting 24-19 in February, it was a hard-earned win for the Irish and Cardiff will no doubt be fired up to progress one step further towards a home Final.

USAP v Racing 92

Saturday, April 5 – Stade Aime Giral

USAP will host Racing 92 in an all-French affair. Racing 92 qualified through a fifth-place finish in their Investec Champions Cup pool, beating more defenders than any other team (118) in the pool stages on their way.

The hosts drew with Toyota Cheetahs in Round 1 but secured victories over Cardiff Rugby and Zebre Parma to qualify for the knockouts in eighth place.

With Racing 92 qualifying ninth, they are a tightly matched pair. It will be the first time the two have met in the EPCR Challenge Cup, however they are no strangers with USAP losing to Racing 92 30-23 in their last TOP 14 meeting earlier this season.

Ospreys v Scarlets

Sunday, April 6 – Swansea.com Stadium

An all-Welsh derby at Swansea.com Stadium will see Ospreys take on Scarlets, with a home-country final the motivation for both.

Ospreys secured a home knockout spot with a dramatic late win during Round 4 at Section Paloise, which saw Morgan win the greatest number of turnovers (four) in the round, as well as making a round-high 29 tackles.

Scarlets earned their place through wins over RC Vannes and Black Lion, though they suffered defeats to Aviron Bayonnais and Gloucester Rugby.

The pair met just last weekend in URC action, with Scarlets beating Ospreys at home, 38-22. The hosts will be hoping their home advantage helps sets the scene for revenge.

Lyon Olympique Universitaire v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Sunday, April 6 – Matmut Stadium de Gerland

Lyon Olympique Universitaire, the 2022 EPCR Challenge Cup winners, will host reigning champions Hollywoodbets Sharks.

Lyon’s strong start to the season included wins over Cardiff Rugby, Zebre Parma and Toyota Cheetahs and a loss to Connacht Rugby.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks, who finished fifth in their Investec Champions Cup pool, will be eager to make a repeat run to the trophy after a challenging pool stage, with just one victory.

Fans will be able to watch the action on Premier Sports in the UK and Ireland, beIN SPORTS in France, SuperSport in South Africa and FloRugby in the USA and Canada. Additional free-to-air coverage will be available in France on France Télévisions and S4C in Wales, as well as select matches available on EPCR’s OTT platform EPCRugby.TV, which is also the home exclusively for the EPCR Challenge Cup in Italy.