Round 4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup is just around the corner as quallification for the knockouts is at stake.
Round 3 of the EPCR Challenge Cup certainly did not disappoint as key winsfor Stade Français Paris, Newcastle Red Bulls and Benetton Rugby meant their winning streaks are maintained.
Montpellier Hérault Rugby completed a stunning comeback too, scoring 19 unanswered points to edge past Connacht Rugby 33-31.
Exeter Chiefs visited Stade Français for a thriller as another French side secured a late comeback, while Black Lion got their first points with an away win at US Montauban.
Round 4 awaits
With the third matchday behind us, focus now turns to the pool stages’ final round.
The top four sides from each group qualify for the knockout stages, with the 12 qualified sides being joined by four clubs currently involved in the Investec Champions Cup.
In Pool 1, Montpellier Hérault Rugby sit first in the standings with 15 points thanks to three bonus-point wins.
They travel to Ospreys, second for a direct shoot-out for top spot as the Welsh side sit four points behind but already qualified.
Georgia’s calling for Zebre Parma, third with nine points, as they face a tough test against Black Lion.
The Georgian side, fifth and buoyed by last Saturday’s bonus-point win in Montauban, will be confident of leap-frogging into the qualification spots come the end of Round 4.
Fourth-placed Connacht will targeting nothing other than a win against US Montauban though as they look to consolidate the current qualifying spot they hold.
Over in Pool 2, Benetton and Newcastle Red Bulls are both already through thanks to three wins, but the remaining four other teams can still make the cut.
USAP are third on six points and match Lions’ total. The pair meet in Perpignan in Round 4 for a decisive match-up.
Dragons RFC, fifth, host the Red Bulls while Lyon Olympique Universitaire, sixth, welcome Benetton.
Pool 3’s fate is already decided after Stade Français Paris secured maximum points at the weekend.
Ulster Rugby are second while Cardiff Rugby and Exeter Chiefs are third and fourth respectively.
Click HERE to buy tickets for the clash with Newcastle Red Bulls online or call 01633 670690 during office hours.
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 fixtures in full
All times GMT
Friday 16 January
Dragons RFC vs Newcastle Red Bulls 20:00
Saturday 17 January
Ulster Rugby vs Stade Français Paris 13:00
Black Lion vs Zebre Parma 13:00
USAP vs Lions 17:30
Connacht Rugby vs US Montauban 20:00
Ospreys vs Montpellier Hérault Rugby 20:00
Sunday 18 January
Exeter Chiefs vs Cardiff Rugby 13:00
Lyon Olympique Universitaire vs Benetton Rugby 13:00
Racing 92 vs Toyota Cheetahs 17:30
