2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage

The 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage was the first stage of the 10th season of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Structure

The pool stage draw took place on 21 June 2023.[1] The complete fixture list was then announced on 13 July 2023.[2] Teams in the same pool played other teams in the same pool, either at home or away, in the group stage. The top four teams in each pool progressed to the round of 16 as well as the fifth-ranked team from each Champions Cup pool.

Teams were awarded group points based on match performances; four points for a win, two points for a draw, one attacking bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match and one defensive bonus point for losing a match by seven points or fewer.[3]

In the event of a tie between two or more teams, the following tie-breakers were used, as directed by European Professional Club Rugby:

  1. Where teams have played each other
    1. The club with the greater number of competition points from only matches involving tied teams.
    2. If equal, the club with the best aggregate points difference from those matches.
    3. If equal, the club that scored the most tries in those matches.
  2. Where teams remain tied and/or have not played each other in the competition (i.e. are from different pools)
    1. The club with the best aggregate points difference from the pool stage.
    2. If equal, the club that scored the most tries in the pool stage.
    3. If equal, the club with the fewest players suspended in the pool stage.
    4. If equal, the drawing of lots will determine a club's ranking.

Pools

Key to colours
     Top 4 in each pool, advance to round of 16.

Pool 1

2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 1
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 South Africa Sharks (1) 4 3 0 1 141 53 +88 21 6 4 1 17 Qualifies for a home Round of 16
2 France Pau (6) 4 3 0 1 90 113 −23 10 15 0 0 12
3 South Africa Cheetahs (13) 4 2 0 2 112 105 +7 14 13 2 1 11 Qualifies for Round of 16
4 Italy Zebre Parma (16) 4 2 0 2 83 92 −9 11 9 1 1 10
5 Wales Dragons 4 1 0 3 71 80 −9 7 12 1 2 7
6 France Oyonnax 4 1 0 3 56 110 −54 8 16 1 1 6
Source: EPCR


Round 1

9 December 2023
14:00
Zebre Parma Italy15–33South Africa Cheetahs
Try: Fusco 77' m
Gesi 80+1' c
Con: Prisciantelli (1/2) 80+1'
Pen: Eden (1/1) 29'
ReportTry: Jasper 35' c
Fortuin 43' c
Van der Westhuizen 61' c
Con: Pienaar (3/3) 36', 44', 62'
Pen: Pienaar (4/4) 3', 34', 40', 54'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Attendance: 1,600
Referee: Jack Makepeace (England)
9 December 2023
17:15
(1 BP) Sharks South Africa45–5France Pau
Try: Am (2) 8' c, 24' c
Etzebeth (2) 40' c, 46' c
Potgieter 41' c
Mapimpi 49' c
Con: Bosch (6/6) 9', 25', 40+1', 42', 47', 51'
Pen: Bosch (1/2) 31'
ReportTry: Arfeuil 14' m
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 11,724
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
9 December 2023
20:00
(1 BP) Dragons Wales24–7France Oyonnax
Try: Hewitt 43' c
J. Davies 73' m
Dyer (2) 76' m, 80' c
Con: Reed (2/4) 44', 80+1'
ReportTry: Treilles 21' c
Con: Soulan (1/1) 22'
Rodney Parade, Newport
Attendance: 3,057
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

Round 2

16 December 2023
14:00
(1 BP) Oyonnax France14–21Italy Zebre Parma
Try: Durand-Pradere 39' c
Sweetnam 52' c
Con: Bouraux (2/2) 40', 53'
ReportTry: Canali 54' m
García 57' c
Con: Prisciantelli (1/2) 58'
Pen: Prisciantelli (3/3) 4', 64', 79'
Stade Charles-Mathon, Oyonnax
Attendance: 5,100
Referee: Hamish Smales (England)
16 December 2023
18:30
Pau France24–21Wales Dragons (1 BP)
Try: Ruffenach 27' c
Hamonou 40' c
Attissogbe 80' c
Con: Desperes (3/3) 28', 40+1', 80+1'
Pen: Desperes (1/2) 55'
ReportTry: Benjamin 28' m
Young 69' c
Con: Evans (1/2) 71'
Pen: Evans (3/3) 21', 25', 49'
Stade du Hameau, Pau
Attendance: 5,348
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
17 December 2023
15:00
(1 BP) Cheetahs South Africa32–29South Africa Sharks (2 BP)
Try: M. van der Merwe 16' c
G. van der Merwe 28' m
Maartens 62' c
Jasper 74' c
Con: Pienaar (3/4) 18', 62', 75'
Pen: Pienaar (2/2) 40', 44'
ReportTry: Etzebeth 21' c
F. Venter 41' m
Williams 54' c
Mapimpi 64' c
Con: Bosch (3/4) 23', 55', 65'
Pen: Bosch (1/2) 58'
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 7,190
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Round 3

13 January 2024
15:00
(1 BP) Sharks South Africa38–7France Oyonnax
Try: Nché (2) 8' c, 20' m
Mapimpi (2) 33' c, 58' c
Am 48' m
Labuschagné 52' c
Con: Bosch (4/6) 10', 35', 53', 59'
ReportTry: Berthaud 44' c
Con: Bouraux (1/1) 45'
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 13,624
Referee: Adam Leal (England)
13 January 2024
16:15
Zebre Parma Italy20–17Wales Dragons (1 BP)
Try: Gesi (2) 25' m, 51' m
Bianchi 43' c
Con: Montemauri (1/3) 44'
Pen: Montemauri (1/1) 34'
ReportTry: J. Rosser 57' m
Pen: Evans (4/5) 5', 12', 16', 21'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Attendance: 1,900
Referee: Benoit Rousselet (France)
14 January 2024
14:00
Cheetahs South Africa20–33France Pau
Try: Hartzenberg 30' m
Pienaar 38' c
L. Van der Westhuizen 57' m
Con: Pienaar (1/3) 31', 38', 57'
Pen: Pienaar 71'
ReportTry: Maddocks 10' c
Gailleton 13' c
Robson 74' c
Con: Desperes (3/3) 10', 14', 75'
Pen: Desperes (4/5) 35', 44', 63', 68'
NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

Round 4

20 January 2024
14:00
Pau France28–27Italy Zebre Parma (2 BP)
Try: Tuimaba (2) 32' c, 36' m
Simmonds 55' c
Con: Simmonds (2/3) 33', 56'
Pen: Simmonds (3/4) 1', 15', 68'
ReportTry: Zambonin 8' c
Gesi (2) 42' c, 77' m
García 49' m
Con: Montemauri (2/4) 8', 44'
Pen: Prisciantelli (1/1) 73'
Stade du Hameau, Pau
Attendance: 5,612
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
20 January 2024
16:15
(1 BP) Oyonnax France28–27South Africa Cheetahs (2 BP)
Try: Godener 31' c
Taofifenua 39' c
Odiase 62' c
Bordenave 80+7'
Con: Miotti (2/2) 32', 40'
Soulan (2/2) 63', 80+9'
ReportTry: Hartzenberg 8' m
M. van der Merwe (2) 16' c, 42' m
Pienaar 22' c
Con: Pienaar (2/4) 17', 23'
Pen: Pienaar (1/1) 35'
Stade Charles-Mathon, Oyonnax
Attendance: 6,801
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
21 January 2024
17:30
Dragons Wales9–29South Africa Sharks (1 BP)
Pen: Evans (3/3) 7', 21', 59'ReportTry: Hendrikse 35' c
Nché 40' m
Grobler 70' m
Roets 76' c
Kok 79' m
Con: Bosch (2/4) 35', 77'
Rodney Parade, Newport
Attendance: 3,835
Referee: Adrien Marbot (France)

Pool 2

2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 2
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Italy Benetton Rugby (3) 4 3 0 1 147 87 +60 19 12 3 0 15 Qualifies for a home Round of 16
2 France Montpellier (5) 4 3 0 1 94 54 +40 15 7 2 0 14
3 Wales Ospreys (7) 4 3 0 1 111 103 +8 15 14 2 0 14 Qualifies for a home Round of 16 as 3rd best
4 South Africa Lions (14) 4 2 0 2 94 76 +18 10 8 2 0 10 Qualifies for Round of 16
5 England Newcastle Falcons 4 1 0 3 82 139 −57 8 20 0 1 5
6 France Perpignan 4 0 0 4 45 114 −69 4 10 0 0 0
Source: EPCR


Round 1

9 December 2023
17:30
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales43–34Italy Benetton (1 BP)
Try: Lake (4) 7' c, 26' c, 46' c, 56' m
G. Thomas 17' c
M. Morris 76' c
Con: O. Williams (4/5) 8', 19', 27', 48'
Walsh (1/1) 77'
Pen: Walsh (1/1) 80+1'
ReportTry: Ratave (2) 14' c, 21' c
Negri 34' c
Odogwu 51' c
Con: Umaga (4/4) 15', 23', 35', 52'
Pen: Umaga (2/3) 40', 79'
Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea
Attendance: 3,335
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
10 December 2023
14:00
Perpignan France12–28South Africa Lions
Pen: Barraque (4/5) 6', 18', 30', 35'ReportTry: Maxwane 9' c
Con: Hendrikse (1/1) 10'
Pen: Hendrikse (7/8) 2', 33', 43', 46', 60', 64', 68'
Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan
Attendance: 5,532
Referee: Adam Leal (England)
10 December 2023
17:30
(1 BP) Newcastle Falcons England19–24France Montpellier (1 BP)
Try: Chick 50' m
Stephens 54' c
Blamire 74' c
Con: Jennings (1/2) 55'
Johnson (1/1) 75'
ReportTry: Becognee 13' c
Lam 25' m
Bouthier 41' m
Simmonds 63' c
Con: Carbonel (2/4) 14', 64'
Kingston Park, Newcastle
Attendance: 3,802
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Round 2

16 December 2023
16:15
(1 BP) Benetton Italy29–7France Perpignan
Try: Smith (2) 15' c, 80' m
Bernasconi 36' c
Izekor 48' c
Con: Umaga (3/3) 17', 37', 50'
Pen: Umaga (1/1) 32'
ReportTry: Montgaillard 75' c
Con: Rodor (1/1) 76'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
Attendance: 3,854
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
16 December 2023
17:15
(1 BP) Lions South Africa35–13England Newcastle Falcons
Try: Botha 18' c
J-P. Smith 28' c
Tshituka (2) 50' c, 76' c
Louw 69' c
Con: Nohamba (5/5) 19', 29', 51', 70', 78'
ReportTry: Lockwood 58' c
Con: Connon (1/1) 59'
Pen: Connon (2/2) 8', 32'
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 2,515
Referee: Benoit Rousselet (France)
17 December 2023
17:15
(1 BP) Montpellier France38–5Wales Ospreys
Try: Bridge (2) 10' c, 21' m
Coly 31' c
Karkadze 57' c
Cadot (2) 65' c, 76' m
Con: Garbisi (3/4) 11', 32', 59'
Foursans-Bourdette (1/2) 66'
ReportTry: Morgan-Williams 49' m
GGL Stadium, Montpellier
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)

Round 3

12 January 2024
20:30
Newcastle Falcons England18–57Italy Benetton (1 BP)
Try: Bello 12' c
McCallum 62' m
Con: Connon (1/2) 13'
Pen: Connon (2/3) 4', 24'
ReportTry: Albornoz 16' m
Ratave (2) 19' c, 43' c
Menoncello (2) 27' c, 56' c
Mendy 49' c
Izekor 73' c
Umaga 80' c
Con: Albornoz (4/5) 20', 28', 44', 50'
Umaga (3/3) 56', 74', 80+1'
Pen: Albornoz (1/1) 34'
Kingston Park, Newcastle
Attendance: 3,602
Referee: Tual Trainini (France)
12 January 2024
20:00
Ospreys Wales25–3France Perpignan
Try: Hopkins (2) 40' m, 50' c
Giles 62' c
Con: D. Edwards (2/3) 51', 63'
Pen: D. Edwards (2/2) 34', 43'
ReportPen: McIntyre (1/2) 45'
Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea
Attendance: 4,571
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
13 January 2024
21:00
Montpellier France13–3South Africa Lions
Try: Doumayrou 43' m
Willemse 72' m
Pen: Garbisi (1/3) 49'
ReportPen: Hendrikse (1/1) 31'
GGL Stadium, Montpellier
Attendance: 7,500
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Round 4

20 January 2024
16:15
Benetton Italy27–19France Montpellier
Try: Albornoz (2) 20' c, 72' c
Ratave 29' c
Con: Albornoz (2/2) 22', 29'
Umaga (1/1) 74'
Pen: Albornoz (2/2) 14', 60'
ReportTry: Cadot 35' m
Erdocio 47' c
Karkadze 67' c
Con: Garbisi (1/2) 48'
Foursans-Bourdette (1/1) 69'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
Attendance: 4,792
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
21 January 2024
14:00
Perpignan France23–32England Newcastle Falcons
Try: Granell 25' m
Dubois 34' m
Dupichot 75' c
Con: Barraque (1/1) 75'
Pen: Rodor (2/4) 1', 52'
ReportTry: O'Sullivan 53' c
Redshaw 66' c
Con: Johnson (2/2) 53', 66'
Pen: Johnson (6/6) 4', 14', 18', 65', 70', 74'
Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan
Attendance: 6,821
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
21 January 2024
15:00
(1 BP) Lions South Africa28–38Wales Ospreys (1 BP)
Try: Louw (2) 16' m, 39' m
Pretorius 35' m
van den Berg 55' c
Con: Nohamba (1/4) 56'
Pen: Nohamba (2/2) 9', 49'
ReportTry: Watkin 14' c
North 24' c
Giles 72' c
C.D. Jones 74' c
Morse 78' c
Con: D. Edwards (2/2) 15', 25'
Walsh (3/3) 73', 76', 79'
Pen: D. Edwards (1/1) 53'
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 3,321
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)

Pool 3

2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 3
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 England Gloucester (2) 4 4 0 0 99 52 +47 9 7 1 0 17 Qualifies for a home Round of 16
2 France Clermont (4) 4 3 0 1 122 66 +56 17 7 3 0 15
3 Scotland Edinburgh (8) 4 2 0 2 103 92 +11 15 12 2 1 11 Qualifies for a home Round of 16 as second 3rd best
4 France Castres (15) 4 2 0 2 88 91 −3 13 10 2 0 10 Qualifies for Round of 16
5 Georgia (country) Black Lion 4 1 0 3 42 86 −44 3 10 0 1 5
6 Wales Scarlets 4 0 0 4 59 126 −67 7 18 0 0 0
Source: EPCR


Round 1

8 December 2023
21:00
(1 BP) Clermont France31–18Scotland Edinburgh
Try: Moala 24' c
Newsome (2) 30' c, 61' c
Biziwu 68' c
Con: Belleau (4/4) 26', 31', 63', 69'
Pen: Belleau (1/1) 37'
ReportTry: Sebastian 42' c
Goosen 75' m
Con: Swiel (1/1) 43'
Pen: Swiel (1/1) 40+1'
Scott (1/1) 60'
Stade Marcel-Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand
Attendance: 13,385
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
9 December 2023
16:00
(1 BP) Black Lion Georgia (country)10–15England Gloucester
Try: Matkava 20' c
Con: Matkava (1/1) 21'
Pen: Matkava (1/1) 68'
ReportPen: Barton (5/5) 11', 17', 28', 48', 71'
Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
Attendance: 6,332
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
9 December 2023
16:15
(1 BP) Castres France34–16Wales Scarlets
Try: Raisuqe 4' c
Fernandez 31' m
Papali'i 37' m
Dumora 42' c
Le Brun 65' c
Con: Le Brun (3/5) 6', 43', 66'
Pen: Le Brun (1/1) 57'
ReportTry: Lloyd 50' c
Con: Lloyd (1/1) 51'
Pen: Lloyd (3/3) 12', 16', 35'
Stade Pierre-Fabre, Castres
Attendance: 8,311
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Round 2

15 December 2023
20:00
Scarlets Wales7–23Georgia (country) Black Lion
Try: Fifita 3' c
Con: Lloyd (1/1) 4'
ReportTry: Modebadze 33' c
Mamrikashvili 58' c
Con: Matkava (2/2) 34', 59'
Pen: Matkava (3/4) 26', 44', 73'
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Attendance: 5,830
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)
15 December 2023
20:00
Gloucester England28–17France Clermont
Try: May 16' m
Socino (2) 31' c, 36' c
Con: Carreras (2/3) 32', 37'
Pen: Carreras (3/4) 40+2', 56', 68'
ReportTry: Jauneau 18' c
Sowakula 58' c
Con: Plisson (2/2) 19', 59'
Pen: Plisson (1/1) 13'
Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Attendance: 9,481
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
16 December 2023
13:00
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland34–21France Castres
Try: Goosen 5' m
Van der Merwe (2) 17' m, 58' c
Price 35' c
Currie 37' c
Con: Healy (3/5) 36', 38', 59'
Pen: Healy (1/1) 22'
ReportTry: Bouzerand 1' c
De Benedittis 66' c
Nakarawa 70' c
Con: Popelin (1/1) 2'
Palis (1/1) 67'
Fernandez (1/1) 71'
Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 6,206
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)

Round 3

13 January 2024
14:00
(1 BP) Clermont France38–17Wales Scarlets
Try: Raka (2) 27' c, 38' c
Belleau (2) 33' m, 80+1' c
Beria 42' c
Jurand 46' m
Con: Belleau (4/6) 29', 40', 44', 80+2'
ReportTry: ST. Evans 69' c
Hardy 79' c
Con: Lloyd (2/2) 70', 79'
Pen: Costelow (1/1) 32'
Stade Marcel-Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand
Attendance: 15,552
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
13 January 2024
16:15
(1 BP) Castres France28–6Georgia (country) Black Lion
Try: Raisuqe 16' c
Zarantonello 43' c
Arata 62' c
Colonna 77' c
Con: Le Bruin (4/4) 18', 44', 63', 79'
ReportPen: Matkava (2/2) 12', 47'
Stade Pierre-Fabre, Castres
Attendance: 8,965
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
13 January 2024
17:30
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland20–21England Gloucester
Try: Young 22' m
Ashman 61' m
Vellacott 68' c
Con: Healy (1/3) 69'
Pen: Healy (1/2) 51'
ReportTry: Rees-Zammit 45' m
Mercer 73' c
Con: Hastings (1/2) 74'
Pen: Hastings (3/3) 37', 53', 56'
Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 7,774
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)

Round 4

19 January 2024
20:00
(1 BP) Gloucester England35–5France Castres
Try: Atkinson 8' c
Clarke 49' c
Hastings 65' c
Tuisue 71' m
Con: Hastings (2/2) 9', 50'
Carreras (1/2) 67'
Pen: Hastings (2/2) 24', 60'
Carreras (1/1) 80'
ReportTry: Raisuqe 37' m
Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Attendance: 10,176
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
19 January 2024
20:00
Scarlets Wales19–31Scotland Edinburgh (1 BP)
Try: Roberts 14' m
Conbeer 79' c
Penalty Try 80'
Con: Lloyd (1/2) 79'
ReportTry: Vellacott 2' c
Nel 6' c
van der Merwe 20' m
Watson 33' c
Schoeman 43' m
Con: Healy (3/5) 2', 7', 33'
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Attendance: 5,993
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
20 January 2024
16:00
Black Lion Georgia (country)3–36France Clermont (1 BP)
Pen: Matkava (1/2) 35'ReportTry: Delguy (2) 24' c, 43' c
Newsome 36' c
Darricarrère 54' c
Moala 60' m
Con: Belleau (4/5) 24', 37', 45', 55'
Pen: Belleau (1/1) 3'
Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
Attendance: 17,233
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)

References

  1. ^ "Heavyweight clashes to savour for 2023/24 season as EPCR pool draws completed". European Professional Club Rugby. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ "2023/24 EPCR pool stage fixture dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage announced". European Professional Club Rugby. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  3. ^ "European Professional Club Rugby – Champions Cup – Rules". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 13 July 2023.