With the opening EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures just days away, we take a look at all the fixtures of the first round and how all teams are faring before they head into one of club rugby’s most extraordinary competitions.
Dragons RFC v Montpellier Hérault Rugby - Friday 6 December, 22:00 (SA Time), Rodney Parade
Welsh side Dragons RFC host French outfit Montpellier Hérault Rugby with both teams aiming to improve from last year’s outing in the Challenge Cup.
Dragons have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, with five consecutive losses across all competitions, but will be looking to use home advantage to kickstart their cup journey.
Montpellier, meanwhile, has shown flashes of quality despite a mixed run of results, including a tight 9-6 loss to high-flying Union Bordeaux-Bègles on Saturday. They will hope their experience in high-pressure games can set the tone for a strong start to this campaign.
Dragons RFC form guide (all competitions): L, L, L, L, L
Montpellier Hérault Rugby form guide (all competitions): L, W, L, W, L
Gloucester Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby - Friday 6 December, 22:00 (SA Time), Kingsholm
2024 Challenge Cup finalists Gloucester Rugby start their campaign hosting an Edinburgh Rugby side who also came second best in the quarter-final to eventual winners Hollywoodbets Sharks last season.
The English side head into the fixture buoyed by strong domestic form, with four victories in their last five matches including Saturday’s win over reigning Premiership champions Northampton Saints and will aim to carry that momentum into this weekend.
As for Edinburgh, with three wins from their last five, including a 50-33 victory at home to Benetton Rugby on Saturday, the Scottish side makes the trip down south with the confidence of hitting the ground running in this year’s campaign as they look to pave a path through a challenging pool.
Gloucester Rugby form guide (all competitions): W, W, W, L, W
Edinburgh Rugby form guide (all competitions): L, W, W, L, W
Aviron Bayonnais v Scarlets - Saturday 7 December, 15:00 (SA Time), Stade Jean Dauger
French side Aviron Bayonnais host Welsh outfit Scarlets with both teams looking to push on and get some positive results.
Following a strong start to TOP14 and solid form in their last five games with four wins, Aviron Bayonnais will look to use that, together with their passionate home crowd to push themselves over the line and start their pool in the best possible way.
As for Scarlets, with three wins out of their last five plus a loss to Glasgow Warriors at the weekend, the Welsh side goes into this one with the motivation to put in a solid pool performance to see where it takes them in this year’s campaign.
Aviron Bayonnais form guide (all competitions): W, W, W, L, W
Scarlets form guide (all competitions): L, W, W, W, L
Black Lion v RC Vannes - Saturday 7 December, 17:00 (SA Time), Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
Having shown promise in their tournament debut last year, Black Lion host EPCR debutants RC Vannes.
The Georgian side, motivated by the strong performance of some of its stars for the national side in the recent Autumn Nations Series and not currently in a formal league system, will be keen to make their abilities evident for all to see.
RC Vannes, meanwhile, are making strides in their debut TOP 14 season including an impressive win away to Stade Rochelais at the weekend and will be eager to translate their promising domestic performances into a strong start this weekend.
Black Lion form guide (all competitions): W, W, W, W
RC Vannes form guide (all competitions): L, W, L, L, W
Lyon Olympique Universitaire v Cardiff Rugby - Saturday 7 December, 17:15, Matmut Stadium de Gerland
Both Lyon Olympique Universitaire and Cardiff Rugby were absent from last season’s Challenge Cup while they competed in the Investec Champions Cup, so they will be keen to put on a show and go far this year.
Lyon will be looking to turn the page after a challenging recent run. Their loss away to Section Paloise at the weekend was their fifth consecutive defeat, but this opener at home will provide an excellent opportunity to regain momentum and make a statement in their first pool game.
As for Cardiff, with mixed form going into this one but with two straight wins under their belt, the Welsh side will be keen to use the Investec Champions Cup as a fresh slate and kick on out of the group.
Lyon Olympique Universitaire form guide (all competitions): L, L, L, L, L
Cardiff Rugby form guide (all competitions): L, L, L, W, W
Connacht Rugby v Zebre Parma - Saturday 7 December, 22:00 (SA Time), Dexcom Stadium
Quarter-finalists in last year’s Challenge Cup, Connacht host Zebre Parma, a side who were knocked out by eventual winners Hollywoodbets Sharks.
With two wins from their last five, the Irish side come into the match with positives to use as a foundation. Despite their loss to the Vodacom Bulls at the weekend, Connacht will fancy their chances going into this one with the wind of the home advantage in their sails.
Zebre Parma, having grabbed their first win of the season against the Ospreys on Saturday, has shown glimpses of promise and will see this as an opportunity to start their Challenge Cup journey on a strong note.
Connacht Rugby form guide (all competitions): W, L, L, W, L
Zebre Parma form guide (all competitions): L, L, L, L, W
Section Paloise v Newcastle Falcons - Sunday 8 December, 15:00 (SA Time), Stade du Hameau
With experience at this level last season, both Section Paloise and Newcastle Falcons will be looking to improve this season.
Faced with a strong TOP 14 contingent, recent results have not gone the way of the hosts, but a win over Lyon Olympique Universitaire last weekend will be just what the French side wanted heading into the Challenge Cup.
It will not be easy however, with a Falcons side buoyed by four straight wins in their last five in all competitions, including a determined scalp against Saracens on Friday.
Section Paloise form guide (all competitions): L, L, L, L, W
Newcastle Falcons form guide (all competitions): L, W, W, W, W
Toyota Cheetahs v USAP - Sunday 8 December, 15:00 (SA Time), NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Having got through to last season’s Challenge Cup Round of 16, the Toyota Cheetahs will be looking to hit the ground running in this year’s tournament.
But the visit of a determined USAP side stands in their way. Having had a mixed start to life in this season’s TOP 14, the side from Perpignan will be keen to hit solid foundations from which to work in the rest of this season’s pool stage.
Toyota Cheetahs form guide: N/A (add Curry Cup form)
USAP form guide (all competitions): W, L, W, L, L
Ospreys v Emirates Lions - Sunday 8 December, 17:15 (SA Time), Swansea.com Stadium
Having made the quarter-finals last year, Ospreys host Emirates Lions in what promises to be a compelling Challenge Cup opener between northern and southern hemisphere powerhouses.
The Welsh side, despite falling to Zebre Parma 22-17 at the weekend, will be eager to build on the positivity of recent performances, as well as using home support as a springboard to start their campaign strongly.
Emirates Lions, coming off an impressive run of three wins in their last five games, will aim to bring their dynamic style of play to the competition and make an immediate impact on the road.
Ospreys form guide (all competitions): L, L, L, W, L
Emirates Lions form guide (all competitions): W, W, W, L, L