Half of the places provided by the EPCR Challenge Cup pool stages for the last 16 have already been decided.
Six sides are through, and another six will be hoping to join them with a further four dropping down from the Champions Cup set to complete the line-up.
Gloucester’s gutsy performance and victory in Edinburgh last week made it three wins out of three and they face Castres at Kingsholm looking to maintain their 100% record.
Pool 2 leaders and current top seeds, Montpellier, embark on a challenging journey to face the in-form Benetton, while the Georgian newcomers, Black Lion, welcome Clermont to Tbilisi ahead of Richard Cockerill’s arrival in a trio of standout fixtures.
Matthew Luddington looks ahead to the final round of the Challenge Cup pool stages.
Friday
Gloucester, riding high in Europe with three impressive victories, set their sights on clinching Pool 3 when they face Castres at 8pm at Kingsholm in front of a passionate home crowd.
The departure of Louis Rees-Zammit to the NFL is a setback for George Skivington’s side, but they have plenty of quality and will be looking to run Castres off their feet. Castres overpowered Black Lion in the last round and need a positive result to secure home advantage in the last 16.
The winless Scarlets will be looking to end a miserable campaign wih a memorable performance for their home fans in their final European game of the season against Edinburgh, also 8pm, with their failure to qualify already confirmed.
The Scottish side have name a side full of international stars as they chase a victory to secure their place in the last 16.
Saturday
Pau and Zebre clash at Stade du Hameau at 1pm in a pivotal encounter for qualification in Pool 1. Former England scrum-half Dan Robson’s exceptional solo try propelled Pau to an impressive victory against the Cheetahs last week in Amsterdam, while Zebre mounted a comeback to defeat the Dragons.
Black Lion, having produced arguably the tournament’s standout result against the Scarlets in Round 2, welcomes Clermont to Tbilisi at 1pm. Black Lion’s physical style clashes with Clermont’s running rugby, promising a captivating showdown. The Georgian newcomers still have an outside chance of reaching the last 16, and neutrals will be hoping for another huge upset in this David vs Goliath clash.
Oyonnax have yet to pick up a point in the tournament, but host the Cheetahs at 3:15pm and although can’t qualify will be looking to put on a good performance for their fans, while the South African side eye home advantage in the last 16 with a victory.
In a clash set to decide the winner of Pool 2, Benetton host Montpellier at 3:15pm. The Italians scored eight tries in a sensational display at Kingston Park against Newcastle last week and are enjoying a fine season. Montpellier have won all their three games in The Challenge Cup and look strong contenders for the title. A victory here guarantees Montpellier the top seed for the knockout stage in what should be one of the games of the tournament so far.
For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.
