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Challenge
Cup

Standings

Pool 1

1
2
3
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
4
3
1
0
141
53
88
4
1
5
4
3
1
0
90
113
-23
0
0
0
4
2
2
0
112
105
7
2
1
3
Pts
17
12
11

Pool 2

1
2
3
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
4
3
1
0
147
87
60
3
0
3
4
3
1
0
94
54
40
2
0
2
4
3
1
0
111
103
8
2
0
2
Pts
15
14
14

Pool 3

1
2
3
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
4
4
0
0
99
52
47
1
0
1
4
3
1
0
122
66
56
3
0
3
4
2
2
0
103
92
11
2
1
3
Pts
17
15
11
View Table
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Stats

Teams
Players
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Teams

Clermont Clermont Edinburgh Edinburgh Black Lion Black Lion Gloucester Gloucester Zebre Zebre Cheetahs Cheetahs Castres Castres Scarlets Scarlets Sharks Sharks Pau Pau Ospreys Ospreys Benetton Benetton Dragons RFC Dragons RFC Oyonnax Oyonnax Perpignan Perpignan Lions Lions Newcastle Newcastle Montpellier Montpellier Sale Sale Bayonne Bayonne Ulster Ulster Connacht Connacht

News

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Experience the thrill of elite European rugby teams as they battle in the Challenge Cup. Although a second-tier competition for teams that don’t qualify for the Heineken Cup, the European Rugby Challenge Cup features an incredibly high standard of rugby and delivers classic matches year after year.

Eager to explore more about the EPCR Challenge Cup? Here at RugbyPass, we cover every story, team and player. Take a look below for all of this season’s latest news, results and upcoming matches.

EPCR Challenge Cup History

The European Rugby Challenge Cup dates back to 1996, one year after the formation of the Heineken Cup. Initially, it was known as the European Conference and 24 teams from England, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy and Romania competed during its inaugural year. Over the next two decades, the tournament underwent numerous name changes, including stints as the European Shield and Parker Pen Shield. Finally, in 2014, the English and French teams withdrew and decided to form the Challenge Cup.

Today, 18 teams contest for the EPCR Challenge Cup. Of these, 17 teams automatically qualify from Europe’s top three professional leagues: the English Premiership, the French Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship. Additionally, one team from South Africa also competes in the Challenge Cup.

EPCR Challenge Cup Format

Usually, the format of the EPCR Challenge Cup includes two pools containing 10 teams (however, this can vary slightly each year). Teams are ranked based on their domestic league performance and are then sorted into three tiers. Teams then play each other team in their pool twice: once at home and once away. Following the pool stage, the top teams in each pool qualify for the knockout stage, along with teams that drop down from the Heineken Champions Cup.

During the knockout stage, the remaining teams are ranked based on their performance in their respective pool. The top-ranked teams have home advantage for the quarter-finals and play against the four lower-ranked teams. The winners progress to the semi-finals and the final is played at a predetermined venue in May.

FAQs

What is the EPCR Challenge Cup?

The EPCR Challenge Cup is an annual competition contested by European clubs. Also known as the European Rugby Challenge Cup, this tournament is considered secondary to the Heineken Champions Cup and features teams that do not qualify for this elite competition.

When was the first edition of the EPCR Challenge Cup?

The first edition of the EPCR Challenge Cup was held in 1996, when it was known as the European Conference. The inaugural tournament was contested by twenty four teams from England, France, Italy, Romania, Scotland and Wales. Bourgoin beat Castres 18-9 in the all-French final and claimed the first title.

How many teams compete in the EPCR Challenge Cup?

18 teams compete in the EPCR Challenge Cup. This includes 17 teams that qualify based on their standings in the Premiership, Top 14 and United Rugby Championship, as well as one team that is invited to take part. Each of the teams comes from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa or Wales.

Which teams compete in the EPCR Challenge Cup?

Teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales compete in the EPCR Challenge Cup. The domestic teams competing in the 2022-23 EPCR Challenge Cup are:

- England: Bath, Bristol Bears, Newcastle Falcons
- France: Bayonne, Brive, Pau, Perpignan, Stade Français, Toulon
- Ireland: Connacht
- Italy: Benetton, Zebre Parma
- Scotland: Glasgow Warriors
- Wales: Cardiff, Dragons, Scarlets
- South Africa: Lions, Cheetahs

Which side holds the record for the most EPCR Challenge Cup titles?

Clermont and Harlequins hold the record for the most EPCR Challenge Cup wins. Each side has claimed the title three times. Clermont won the Challenge Cup in 1998-99, 2006-07 and 2018-19, while Harlequins won in 2000-01, 2003-04 and 2010-11. Gloucester, Sale, Northampton, Cardiff and Montpellier all have two wins apiece.

Which country’s sides have been the most successful in the EPCR Challenge Cup?

English sides have been the most successful in the EPCR Challenge Cup. In total, they have won the tournament on 12 occasions. However, French sides are close behind. These teams have won the tournament 11 times.

What’s the format of the EPCR Challenge Cup?

The EPCR Challenge Cup uses group and knock-out stages. In the group stage, each team faces the others in their pool twice, both at home and away. The top eight teams qualify for the knock-out stage of the competition. This includes quarter-finals and semi-finals. The final usually takes place in May.

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