Dragons RFC begin the club’s quest for EPCR Challenge Cup glory this season against French Top 14 newcomers Oyonnax at Rodney Parade on Saturday, December 9 (kick-off 3.15pm).
The dates for the pool stages of the competition and broadcasters have today (Thursday) been confirmed by tournament organisers EPCR. The 2023-24 season fixtures have been generated using the algorithm provided by EPCR’s fixture software supplier.
The opening game of the tournament for the Men of Gwent – who play in Pool 1 – will be in Newport against Oyonnax and will be shown live on S4C.
Dai Flanagan’s men head to France for Round 2 and the familiar surroundings of Stade du Hameau to tackle Section Paloise on Saturday, December 16 (kick-off 6.30pm local time). Dragons won 21-15 at the same venue in January. This game will be shown on epcrugby.tv.
Dragons are away in Round 3 with a clash at Stadio Lanfranchi against Zebre Parma on Saturday, January 13 (kick-off 4.15pm local time). This game will be live on epcrugby.tv.
The final round of the pool stages will see Cell C Sharks visit Rodney Parade on Sunday, January 21 (kick-off 5.30pm). This game will be on Viaplay.
Head Coach Dai Flanagan said: “We’re looking forward to European competition this season and have an exciting French double-header up first as we look for a positive start to the pool stages.
“Oyonnax will be a new challenge for us at Rodney Parade, with them having just won promotion to the Top 14, while we have happy memories of our last trip to Pau that we will look to replicate.
“There is a new format to the Challenge Cup this season, but our target will be to progress to the knockout stages and really embrace this competition.”
EPCR Fixtures 2023/24:
- Round 1: Saturday, December 9 - Dragons RFC vs Oyonnax – Rodney Parade – 8pm local time.
- Round 2: Saturday, December 16 - Section Paloise vs Dragons – Stade du Hameau – 6.30pm local time.
- Round 3: Saturday, January 13 – Zebre Parma vs Dragons RFC – Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi – 4.15pm local time.
- Round 4: Sunday, January 21 - Dragons RFC vs Cell C Sharks – Rodney Parade – 5.30pm local time.
We’re looking forward to European competition this season and have an exciting French double-header up first as we look for a positive start to the pool stages...
