2021–22 EPCR Challenge Cup

The 2021–22 EPCR Challenge Cup is the eighth edition of the EPCR Challenge Cup, an annual second-tier rugby union competition for professional clubs. Including the predecessor competition, the original European Challenge Cup, this is the 26th edition of European club rugby's second-tier competition.

2021–22 EPCR Challenge Cup
Tournament details
Countries England
 France
 Ireland
 Italy
 Scotland
 Wales
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout
Date10 December 2021 — 27 May 2022
Tournament statistics
Teams15
Final
VenueStade de Marseille

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament format was changed for the previous season. A similar format will remain for this season. However, the number of teams will be increased from 14 to 15 and an additional six will join from the Champions Cup.[1]

The tournament is scheduled to begin in December 2021, with the final, scheduled for 27 May 2022 at Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France.[2][3]

Teams

Fifteen teams will qualify for the 2021–22 EPCR Cup from Premiership Rugby, the Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship as a direct result of their domestic league performance having not qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup.[4]

The distribution of teams will be:

  • England: five teams
    • Any teams finishing between 9th and 12th position in the Premiership that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
    • The champion of the Championship (Saracens)
  • France: six teams
    • Any teams finishing between 9th and 12th position in the Top 14 that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
    • As Montpellier did not finish in the top 8, the 8th ranked team will also compete in the Challenge Cup
    • The champion of the Pro D2 (Perpignan)
    • The winner of the relegation playoff between the 13th placed team in the Top 14 and the runner-up of the Pro D2 (Biarritz)
  • Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales: four teams
    • The bottom two sides in each conference from the Pro14
Round Premiership Top 14 United Rugby Championship
England France Italy Scotland Wales
Preliminary stage

Pool stage
Main article: 2021–22 EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage
[[File:
Locations
|1300px|alt=Locations of teams of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Red: Pool A; Blue: Pool B; Green: Pool C.]]
Locations of teams of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Red: Pool A; Blue: Pool B; Green: Pool C.
Key to colours
     Winner, runner-up and third of each pool, advance to round of 16.
     The highest-scoring fourth-place team also advance to round of 16.

Pool A
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
Biarritz 11002613+1341105
Newcastle Falcons 11003126+544105
Worcester Warriors 10012631–544112
Toulon 000000000000
Zebre Parma 10011326–1314000

Pool B
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
Perpignan 11002216+631004
Lyon 11001913+611004
Dragons 10011622–613011
Gloucester 10011319–611011
Benetton 000000000000

Pool C
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
London Irish 11003317+1652105
Edinburgh 11002118+322004
Saracens 10011821–325011
Brive 000000000000
Pau 10011733–1625000

See also

References
  1. "Twickenham Stadium to host 2021 EPCR finals". European Professional Club Rugby. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  2. "EPCR statement – 2021 Marseille finals and semi-final matches". European Professional Club Rugby. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  3. "Key 2021/22 EPCR dates announced". European Professional Club Rugby. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  4. "New EPCR tournament formats agreed for 2020/21 season". European Professional Club Rugby. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
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