The draw for the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup has been decided, with the groups taking shape at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier today.
North London’s state of the art football stadium will host the Challenge Cup Final on Friday 24th May 2024. Toulon ended the 2022/23 Challenge Cup season as champions, after a landslide 43-19 victory over Glasgow Warriors, in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Legendary Italian number eight Sergio Parrise hung up his boots after the game, with the former Azzurri captain even getting on the score-sheet in Ireland. Toulon ended their relentless search for the Challenge Cup title, which saw them finish runners-up in their previous three finals in the competition.
Both Toulon and Glasgow have progressed to the Champions Cup draw this year, with the 2023/24 Challenge Cup featuring two new invitational arrivals. It is as yet unconfirmed as to who the two invitated teams are, however reported speculation is that Georgian club Black Lion and Israeli side Tel Aviv are in contention. Also, three sides from the RFU Championship have reportedly applied to participate, including Ealing Trailfinders, Jersey Reds and Coventry.
POOL 1
1 Invitee 1
2. Pau
3. Dragons RFC
4. Zebre
5. Oyonnax
6. Cell C Sharks
POOL 2
1 Ospreys
2. USAP
3. Newcastle Falcons
4. Emirates Lions
5. Montpellier
6. Benetton
POOL 3
1 Edinburgh
2. Castres
3. Clermont Auvergne
4. Invitee 2
5. Gloucester Rugby
6. Scarlets