EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 Match Schedule: Knockout Spots On The Line
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 Match Schedule: Knockout Spots On The Line
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 brings decisive pool clashes, as qualification and home advantage are settled across Europe ahead of the knockout stage.
Round 4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup arrives with very little left to hide.
Qualification places are narrowing, home advantage still is on the table, and for several sides, this weekend represents a final roll of the dice.
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Once the round concludes, the top four teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stage, joined by four fifth-place sides dropping down from the Investec Champions Cup.
For some, progression already is assured. For others, the margin for error has vanished entirely.
Pool 1
Montpellier Hérault Rugby has set the pace in Pool 1, collecting 15 points from three bonus-point victories. The reward is a trip to Wales to face Ospreys in a direct clash for top spot.
Both sides already are qualified, but the incentive remains significant.
Montpellier needs only a single bonus point to lock in first place, while the Ospreys must win, and likely do so with a bonus, to finish above the French side. It is a fixture that should reveal plenty about both teams’ knockout credentials.
Earlier on Saturday, Zebre Parma travels to Tbilisi to face Black Lion.
Zebre sits third and remains firmly in control of its qualification destiny, with home advantage also still attainable if results fall the team's way.
Later that evening, Connacht Rugby host US Montauban in Galway.
Connacht currently occupies the final qualifying position and knows that victory will remove all doubt, while Montauban arrives still searching for its first win of the campaign.
Pool 2
Pool 2 presents the clearest contrast of the competition.
Benetton Rugby and Newcastle Red Bulls already are through after three wins each, while the remaining four sides remain locked in a tight race for the final knockout places.
On Friday night, Dragons RFC hosts Newcastle knowing that defeat would all but end its hopes. Newcastle, meanwhile, will be keen to preserve momentum and keep its unbeaten record intact.
Saturday brings a pivotal clash in Perpignan, as Perpignan welcomes the Lions. Both sides sit on six points and a win could prove decisive. A loss, by contrast, may leave qualification out of their hands.
On Sunday, last season’s finalist Lyon Olympique Universitaire faces a must-win scenario at home against Benetton. Lyon remains winless and can afford no slip. Benetton, already qualified, has the opportunity to cap a flawless pool campaign and secure top seeding.
Pool 3
While qualification is settled in Pool 3, the battle for home advantage is far from resolved.
Ulster Rugby hosts Stade Francais Paris in Belfast with first place at stake. Stade Francais arrives unbeaten, while Ulster has quietly rebuilt momentum after a difficult December. The winner will earn a valuable home knockout fixture.
On Sunday, the Exeter Chiefs welcome Cardiff Rugby to Sandy Park. Both sides remain in contention for a home tie and enter the final round knowing that victory could significantly reshape the knockout bracket.
The pool phase concludes with Racing 92 hosting the Toyota Cheetahs in Paris, where final standings and pride remain on the line.
With qualification scenarios tightening and home advantage still undecided, Round 4 shapes up as one of the most consequential weekends of the EPCR Challenge Cup season.
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 Schedule
All Times Eastern
Friday, Jan. 16
Pool 2
Dragons RFC vs. Newcastle Red Bulls
Rodney Parade
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
Broadcast: FloRugby
Saturday, Jan. 17
Pool 3
Ulster Rugby vs. Stade Francais Paris
Affidea Stadium
Kickoff: 8 a.m.
Broadcast: FloRugby
Pool 1
Black Lion vs. Zebre Parma
Avchala Stadium
Kickoff: 8 a.m.
Broadcast: FloRugby
Pool 2
Perpignan vs. Lions
Stade Aime Giral
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.
Broadcast: FloRugby
Pool 1
Connacht Rugby vs. US Montauban
Dexcom Stadium
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
Broadcast:FloRugby
Pool 1
Ospreys vs. Montpellier Hérault Rugby
Dunraven Brewery Field
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
Broadcast:FloRugby
Sunday, Jan. 18
Pool 3
Exeter Chiefs vs. Cardiff Rugby
Sandy Park
Kickoff: 8 a.m.
Broadcast: FloRugby
Pool 2
Lyon Olympique Universitaire vs. Benetton Rugby
Matmut Stadium de Gerland
Kickoff: 8 a.m.
Broadcast: FloRugby
Pool Three
Racing 92 vs. Toyota Cheetahs
Paris La Defense Arena
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.
Broadcast: FloRugby
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