Check out the form of all the 18 EPCR Challenge Cup sides with one month to go until the competition. The countdown is well and truly on. Just one month remains until the EPCR Challenge Cup returns to the forefront of club rugby.
Pool action gets underway on Friday, 5 December, and we’re bringing you a comprehensive club-by-club preview of the 18 sides involved.
Benetton Rugby
It’s been a tricky start to the URC for Benetton as they’ve clocked up wins over Glasgow Warriors and Lions. But three losses from five mean the Italians sit 10th.
First game: Lions (A), Saturday 6 December, 13:00 GMT
Recent form: L, W, W, L, L
Black Lion
Invited into the competition by EPCR, Georgia’s very own are looking forward to another season in the Challenge Cup. Most recently in action twice against the Toyota Cheetahs in Free State Rugby, Black Lion beat the Cheetahs by one point before falling in their second outing.
First game: Montpellier Hérault Rugby (H), Saturday 6 December, 15:15
Cardiff Rugby
Three wins from their last three in the URC mean Cardiff are keen to translate league success onto the international stage. They’ve only lost once this term (Munster Rugby), which sees them prop up fourth spot.
First game: Stade Français Paris (A), Saturday 6 December, 13:00
Recent form: W, L, W, W, W
Connacht Rugby
The Irish province has been unlucky to miss out at times this season, falling to Munster by two points and the Vodacom Bulls by one. Just the solitary win in the URC leaves them 12th with one month to go.
First game: Ospreys (A), Sunday 7 December 15:15
Recent form: W, L, L, L
Dragons RFC
Some gritty, determined performances have seen the Dragons grab two draws so far, but losses to Ulster, Glasgow and Cardiff mean they sit penultimate in the URC.
First game: USAP (A), Sunday 7 December, 13:00
Recent form: L, D, L, L, D
Exeter Chiefs
It’s been a stellar start to life in the 2025/26 Gallagher PREM for the Devonshire side. Saturday third after back-to-back wins against Harlequins and Gloucester Rugby, as well as a dogged comeback against Northampton Saints, means the Chiefs are on flying form with four weeks to go.
First game: Toyota Cheetahs (H), Sunday 7 December, 17:30
Recent form: D, W, L, W, W
Lions
Two wins on the bounce for the South Africans mean they are in good form one month out from the start of the competition. They’ve turned things around from the start of the season too, having suffered three losses in their opening three.
First game: Benetton Rugby (H), Saturday 6 December, 13:00
Recent form: L, L, L, W, W
Lyon Olympique Universitaire
It was a fast start in the TOP 14 for LOU as they charged to three wins from three. But five losses from their following six have meant last year’s EPCR Challenge Cup finalists are currently 12th.
First game: Newcastle Red Bulls (H), Saturday 6 December 17:30
Recent form: L, W, L, L, L
Montpellier Hérault Rugby
The two-time winners have shone at times this term, beating Stade Toulousain on matchday three. But they’ve struggled for consistent wins throughout, placing them 11th in the TOP 14 one month out.
First game: Black Lion (A), Saturday 6 December, 15:15
Recent form: W, L, W, L, L
Newcastle Red Bulls
The rebranded northerners haven’t had things easy this season. The Red Bulls sit last in the PREM after five losses, but all eyes can now turn to the EPCR Challenge Cup just one month out.
First game: Lyon Olympique Universitaire (A), Saturday 6 December, 17:30
Recent form: L, L, L, L, L
Ospreys
It’s been a tough start for Ospreys this term after they’ve fallen to three of the current top six in their opening five games, including Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers away. But back in Wales, they’ve been on better form, nilling Zebre Parma and drawing away to Dragons RFC.
First game: Connacht Rugby (H), Sunday 7 December, 15:15
Recent form: L, L, W, L, D
Racing 92
Semi-finalists last year, Racing 92, have sent a strong message at times this year. Home wins against UBB and Section Paloise mean they are ones to watch at La Défense Arena.
First game: Ulster Rugby (A), Friday 5 December, 20:00
Recent form: L, W, L, W, L
Stade Français Paris
The Parisians have done nothing but impress this term in the TOP 14 as they’ve raced to fifth spot. Performances are much improved from last season, and they’ve had wins over the likes of UBB and Stade Rochelais to back that up.
First game: Cardiff Rugby, (H), Saturday 6 December, 13:00
Recent form: W, W, L, W, L
Toyota Cheetahs
The South African side had a Currie Cup campaign with varying successes. Beating Lions, Western Province, Sharks and Pumas, the Cheetahs lost to eventual winners Griquas. All attention is now on the EPCR Challenge Cup in December.
First game: Exeter Chiefs (A), Sunday 7 December, 17:30
US Montauban
TOP 14’s newbies are just a month away from their first EPCR Challenge Cup in 15 years, and domestic form could suggest they are ready to impress. While they are 13th, some gritty defensive performances and a win over relegation rivals USAP mean Montauban have seven points.
First game: Zebre Parma, Saturday 6 December, 20:00
Recent form: L, L, L, W, L
USAP
It’s been an opening two months to forget for the Perpignan side as they sit bottom with one point. They scooped their defensive bonus point away to Section Paloise, so there’s fight there, and the EPCR Challenge Cup could offer a chance to save their season.
First game: Dragons RFC (H), Sunday 7 December, 13:00
Recent form: L, L, L, L, L
Ulster Rugby
Putting last season’s 14th-place finish behind them, Ulster have kicked on to three wins from four. They impressed against last season’s URC finalists, Vodacom Bulls (28-7,) before beating the Hollywoodbets Sharks away from home. A force to be reckoned with in this EPCR Challenge Cup.
First game: Racing 92 (H), Friday 5 December, 20:00
Recent form: W, W, W, L
Zebre Parma
It was the best of starts for Zebre as they shocked Edinburgh and Lions to two wins from two. But tough outings - and losses - against Ospreys, DHL Stormers and Leinster mean they sit ninth with one month to go.
First game: US Montauban, Saturday 6 December, 20:00
Recent form: W, W, L, L, L