Newport Gwent Dragons play in the European Challenge Cup competition this season and kick off their campaign on Friday 20th October against Bayonne, but what is the Challenge Cup?
Since its introduction in 1996, the then European Conference, has had several names, seen many changes in its format and make up, but has continued to grow in prestige over the years.
The new look format under the name of the European Challenge Cup banner includes 20 top-flight teams from six countries competing in five pools of four teams each. The five pool winners and three best placed runners up qualify for the knock-out stages of the tournament and play off for the coveted European Challenge Cup title.
While it may be the second tier European competition under the Heineken Cup notable teams have clinched the title these include Montferrand, Pau, Harlequins, Sale Sharks, London Wasps and Gloucester.
This season continues to see some of the top teams from France and England competing in the competition including Narbonne, Saracens, last seasons Heineken Cup semi finalists Bath Rugby and Brive.
This season's Pools
Pool 1 – Bayonne, Bristol, Bucuresti, Newport Gwent Dragons
Pool 2 – G.R.A.N Rugby Parma, Glasgow, Narbonne, Saracens
Pool 3 – Brive, Montauban, Newcastle Falcons, Petrarca Padova,
Pool 4 – Bath Rugby, Connacht, Montpellier, NEC Harlequins
Pool 5 – Albi, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Viadana, Worcester Warriors
The teams in each group will play each other on a home and away basis with the top of each pool qualifying for the quarter finals along with the best three runners up.
Previous Winners
1997/98 – Colomiers
1998/99 – Montferrand
1999/00 – Pau
2000/01 – Harlequins
2001/02 – Sale Sharks
2002/03 – London Wasps
2003/04 – Harlequins
2004/05 – Sale Sharks
2005/06 - Gloucester
