EUROPEAN CLUB RUGBY · 2026/27
EPCR Challenge Cup
2026/27
Follow all 18 clubs, confirmed Round 1 results, the three pool tables and every scheduled pool-stage fixture, all in one RugbyOrbit competition hub.
Next matches
Upcoming fixtures from the RugbyOrbit shared database.
Pool standings
Tables are calculated from verified completed matches in RugbyOrbit’s shared database; rankings remain provisional.
Pool 1
| # | Club | P | W | D | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ulster Rugby | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +19 | 5 |
| 2 | Dragons RFC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +15 | 4 |
| 3 | Aviron Bayonnais | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| 4 | Toyota Cheetahs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| 5 | USAP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -15 | 0 |
| 6 | Zebre Parma | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -19 | 0 |
Pool 2
| # | Club | P | W | D | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scarlets | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +33 | 5 |
| 2 | Castres Olympique | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +9 | 4 |
| 3 | Hollywoodbets Sharks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 4 |
| 4 | LOU Rugby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -7 | 1 |
| 5 | Benetton Rugby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -9 | 0 |
| 6 | Newcastle Red Bulls | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -33 | 0 |
Pool 3
| # | Club | P | W | D | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harlequins | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +38 | 5 |
| 2 | Ospreys | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +25 | 5 |
| 3 | RC Toulon | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +10 | 4 |
| 4 | Edinburgh Rugby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -10 | 0 |
| 5 | Black Lion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -25 | 0 |
| 6 | RC Vannes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -38 | 0 |
Current top-three positions are provisional. Qualification is only confirmed after the pool stage. Official pool tables ↗
Match centre
Select a round and a pool to browse results or scheduled fixtures. Dates are shown as published by EPCR; kick-off times and venues can change.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
* Date/time TBC. Official fixtures and results ↗
Participating clubs
Pool 1
- Ulster Rugby
- Dragons RFC
- Aviron Bayonnais
- Toyota Cheetahs
- USAP
- Zebre Parma
Pool 2
- Scarlets
- Castres Olympique
- Hollywoodbets Sharks
- LOU Rugby
- Benetton Rugby
- Newcastle Red Bulls
Pool 3
- Harlequins
- Ospreys
- RC Toulon
- Edinburgh Rugby
- Black Lion
- RC Vannes
Competition format
Eighteen clubs play in three pools of six. Each side plays four different pool opponents (two home, two away is not guaranteed). Four match points are awarded for a win and two for a draw.
The three highest-ranked teams in each pool automatically qualify for the Round of 16. The three additional places from the Challenge Cup pools go to the best remaining sides across all pools; four teams also enter the knockout stage from the Investec Champions Cup.
From 2026/27, an attacking bonus point requires at least three more tries than the opponent. A losing bonus point is awarded for defeat by seven points or fewer. Level table points are separated first by wins, then points difference, then tries scored.
Round of 16: 2–4 April 2027 · Quarter-finals: 9–11 April · Semi-finals: 30 April–2 May · Final: 21 May 2027 at OL Stadium, Lyon.
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Verification and official sources
Official pool tables ↗ · Official fixtures and results ↗ · 2026/27 rules explained ↗
Results and table positions reflect published EPCR Round 1 records as checked on 19 October 2026; future fixtures are subject to change. RugbyOrbit does not claim a live data connection for this cup.