Teams from seven nations are represented in the round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup, which gets underway on Friday night as Gloucester host Castres at Kingsholm.
The Cherry and Whites have had a tough season domestically, but finished as the second seed for the knockout stages alongside top seeds Sharks and Benetton Rugby as one of the three group winners.
That trio will all expect to progress into the quarter-finals, but the unpredictability of knockout rugby could well throw up some shocks alongside several other contests that are tough to call in Europe’s second tier.
Friday
Gloucester and Castres (8pm) meet for the second time in this year’s tournament after the Cherry and Whites hammered their French visitors less than three months ago.
That 35-5 win secured their home last 16 berth, and if they continue to progress they will be at Kingsholm through every round until a final not far away at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
It might be premature to think that far ahead, but Gloucester showed their cup pedigree in winning this season’s Premiership Cup and will feel they are well-placed to begin their knockout journey to a third Challenge Cup title after last winning nine years ago in 2015, alongside their other crown nine years before that in 2006.
Saturday
Clermont Auvergne were pipped to Pool 3 by Gloucester, with their defeat at Kingsholm proving their only one in the tournament so far. A solid three victories in their other group matches means they have also set up a home last 16 game early on Saturday (12:30pm) against Cheetahs.
With the main 3pm slot being taken up by Champions Cup action, it’s not till 5:30pm that the next game gets underway as Benetton host Lions with a chance for the Italians to make another statement of intent in what is proving to be a brilliant season for them.
Benetton’s only defeat in the competition so far came against Ospreys, who were unfortunate to finish third in Pool 2 despite also winning three games. The Welsh region host Sale Sharks in Bridgend at 8pm, with Alex Sanderson’s side away in Wales for the second straight year in the last 16 having dropped down from the top tier.
At the same time on Saturday Edinburgh host Bayonne at Hive Stadium in the shadow of Murrayfield. Relegation concerns in the Top 14 may force the visitors to play a weakened team, with Edinburgh hoping to bounce back from a heavy defeat against the Stormers by welcoming back Ali Price, Grant Gilchrist and Luke Crosbie – all unavailable for the trip to South Africa.
Sunday
Like Bayonne, Montpellier may field a weakened side for the visit of Ulster (12:30pm), due to their own relegation fears. Ulster have had a tumultuous start to 2024, and supporters will hope that Richie Murphy can make a winning start to his interim tenure.
At 3pm top seeds Sharks host Zebre eyeing revenge against the Italian side that recorded a memorable victory against them in November, with the round concluding as 2000 champions Pau host Connacht at 5:30pm.
Written by Nick Powell, Online Editor
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