We take a closer look at all the permutations in the EPCR Challenge Cup ahead of Round 5 as Dragons host Gloucester Rugby in an Anglo-Welsh clash at Rodney Parade (kick-off 8pm)...
Following the conclusion of the pool stage this weekend, the three highest-ranked clubs in each of the pools, as well as the highest-ranked fourth-placed club, will qualify for the Round of 16.
The 10 EPCR Challenge Cup clubs who go through to the knockout stage will be supplemented by Cardiff Rugby, Wasps, Castres Olympique, Glasgow Warriors, Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby who have qualified from the Heineken Champions Cup.
The six qualifiers from the Heineken Champions Cup will play their Round of 16 matches away from home and the ranking of the clubs which qualify for the Round of 16 will be as follows:
(i) the three EPCR Challenge Cup pool winners will be ranked 1st to 3rd
(ii) the three EPCR Challenge Cup pool runners-up will be ranked 4th to 6th
(iii) the three EPCR Challenge Cup third-placed clubs will be ranked 7th to 9th
(iv) the leading fourth-placed EPCR Challenge Cup club will be ranked 10th
(v) the six Heineken Champions Cup qualifiers will be ranked 11th to 16th
The Round of 16 matches, in which the eight highest-ranked EPCR Challenge Cup qualifiers have home advantage, will be as follows:
- Match 1: ECC ranked 1 v ECC ranked 10
- Match 2: ECC ranked 2 v ECC ranked 9
- Match 3: ECC ranked 3 v Bath Rugby
- Match 4: ECC ranked 4 v Northampton Saints
- Match 5: ECC ranked 8 v Cardiff Rugby
- Match 6: ECC ranked 7 v Wasps
- Match 7: ECC ranked 6 v Castres Olympique
- Match 8: ECC ranked 5 v Glasgow Warriors
In Pool A, RC Toulon, who face Biarritz Olympique at Parc des Sports Aguiléra, have already qualified and are certain to top the pool with a maximum 15 points from their three matches to date.
Newcastle Falcons (9 points), who host Zebre Parma, Worcester Warriors (9), who have completed their schedule, and Biarritz (8), are all still in the running to qualify from Pool A.
In Pool B, Lyon are guaranteed qualification having topped the pool following their four matches and will either be ranked number one or number two going into the Round of 16.
Gloucester Rugby, who travel to the Dragons, are certain to qualify in second place from Pool B, while Benetton Rugby and USAP, who clash at Stadio di Monigo, as well as the Dragons, all remain in contention to book their places in the knockout stage.
It’s just as tight in Pool C where London Irish (12 points) have qualified following completion of their schedule. Edinburgh Rugby (10), who play Section Paloise (5) at the DAM Health Stadium, will be strongly fancied to qualify, while CA Brive (6) and Saracens (6) meet at Stade Amédée Domenech with qualification very much on the line.
Italian clubs lead the way in two statistics categories with Zebre Parma’s Liam Mitchell making the most tackles with 46 while Sebastien Negri has recorded the most carries to date with 38.
Lyon’s Clément Laporte tops both the metres and line breaks charts with 359 and 6 respectively.
Following the confirmation of the Round of 16 fixtures on Saturday evening, the exact dates and kick-off times of the matches will be announced as soon as possible by EPCR.
Join us #BackOnParade! To buy tickets for the Gloucester fixture please click HERE or call the Ticket Office for more information on 01633 670690 during office hours.
