EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final review: Bath Rugby and Lyon Olympique Universitaire set for showdown in EPCR Challenge Cup Final
- EPCR Media
- May 5
- 2 min read
Bath Rugby and Lyon Olympique Universitaire are set to clash in the 2025 EPCR Challenge Cup Final, following a thrilling weekend of semi-final action that delivered on world-class action, drama and intensity. The final will take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on May 23.
Bath Rugby sealed their place with an emphatic 39–24 victory over Edinburgh Rugby on Saturday at a sold-out Hive Stadium. The win marks Bath’s return to a European Final for the first time in 11 years and keeps alive their ambition for a historic treble this season. Attention now turns to Andy Farrell’s upcoming British & Irish Lions squad announcement, with standout Bath players Finn Russell, Will Stuart and Sam Underhill all in the frame for selection.
Sunday’s all-French semi-final saw Lyon Olympique Universitaire draw on their 2022 winning experience to see off Racing 92 with a 29–15 win at Matmut Stadium de Gerland. Fly-half Léo Berdeu was instrumental in the victory, contributing 19 points through two conversions and five penalties, guiding Lyon back to the final stage of the competition as they now hunt their second EPCR Challenge Cup title.
Fans can be part of club rugby’s greatest weekend by securing their tickets for the EPCR Challenge Cup and Investec Champions Cup Finals on May 23 and 24 at Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium.
Semi-finals – Top Performers
Points: 19 Léo Berdeu (Lyon Olympique Universitaire)
Carries: 17 Miles Reid (Bath Rugby)
Metres: 86 Davit Niniashvili (Lyon Olympique Universitaire)
Defenders beaten: 10 Davit Niniashvili (Lyon Olympique Universitaire)
Line-outs won: 7 Cameron Woki (Racing 92)
Tackles: 28 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby)
Semi-Finals – Key Stats
Theo William (LOU Rugby) made more dominant collisions than any other player at the weekend (eight): four dominant carries and four dominant tackles. Davit Niniashvili also made seven.
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby) was the only player who scored more than one try at the weekend. He made 13 carries and hit 26 rucks.
Leo Berdeu (LOU Rugby) scored a round-high 19 points in the Semi-finals. He also made two clean breaks.
Miles Reid and Sam Underhill (both Bath Rugby) made more carries than any other players in the Semi-finals (17 and 16 respectively). Underhill also won two turnovers, made a dominant tackle, and scored a try.
Will Muir (Bath Rugby) made a round-high three clean breaks, 72 metres, and assisted a try at the weekend.
CLICK BELOW for a comprehensive semi-finals review including results, key data and top performers.
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