Challenge Cup opponents confirmed

21 Jun 2023

Edinburgh Rugby’s 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup pool opponents were today confirmed following the pool draw at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The capital side have been drawn in Pool 3 alongside BKT URC rivals Scarlets, Top 14 sides ASM Clermont Auvergne and Castres Olympique, Premiership side Gloucester as well ‘Invitee 2’ (team to be confirmed at a later date).

Edinburgh Rugby will face four of its five pool opponents – two home fixtures and two away matches – with confirmation of exact fixtures to follow.

The fixture schedules for the EPCR Challenge Cup with dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage will be announced as soon as possible.

Fixtures will be determined using an algorithm which will take into consideration the pool draws, league calendar restrictions, individual club calendar restrictions and broadcast requirements.

Both home European fixtures are included in the 2023/24 Season Ticket Membership.

With potential mouth-watering home fixtures against French giants Clermont and Castres, as well as English powerhouse Gloucester, supporters are encouraged to get their ticket now to secure their place for two unmissable European contests.

Reacting to today’s EPCR Challenge Cup draw, Edinburgh Rugby Lead Rugby Consultant Steve Diamond, said:

“There is always a special aura surrounding European fixtures, so it’s brilliant to today find out our potential EPCR Challenge Cup opponents, with some huge matches to come in 2023/24.

“Clermont are one of French rugby’s more storied and famous teams who possess a ferocious home support, while Castres are of course a side we know well having beaten them both home and away in last season’s Champions Cup.

“Gloucester has a huge amount of history in both European competitions with clash set to be a rematch of the club’s 2015 Challenge Cup Final.

“Scarlets are a team we are really familiar with from the URC while we wait to see who ‘Invitee 2’ are, adding to the overall anticipation surrounding the tournament.

“With pre-season in full swing and our European opponents confirmed, there is now a real feeling of excitement as we build up to another massive season.”

 

2023/24 WEEKENDS

Round 1 – 8/9/10 December 2023
Round 2 – 15/16/17 December 2023
Round 3 – 12/13/14 January 2024
Round 4 – 19/20/21 January 2024

Round of 16 – 5/6/7 April 2024
Quarter-finals – 12/13/14 April 2024
Semi-finals – 3/4/5 May 2024
EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 24 May 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Champions Cup final – Saturday 25 May 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

 

GET YOUR 2023/24 SEASON TICKET!

RELATED

Camps & Events Record-breaking Evolution Festival lights up Hive Stadium Fri 6 Feb 2026 Player of the Month Vote now: January Scottish Building Society Player of the Month Thu 5 Feb 2026 Scotland Men Schoeman, Ashman and Gilchrist start to power Scotland pack Thu 5 Feb 2026 Club News Edinburgh Rugby confirms initial phase of performance staff changes Wed 4 Feb 2026 Scotland Men Edinburgh stars set for Scotland A clash Wed 4 Feb 2026 Scotland Men U20 Ten selected for U20 Six Nations opener Wed 4 Feb 2026 Celtic Challenge Late rally not enough as Brython Thunder strike at Hive Stadium Mon 2 Feb 2026 URC Leinster surge in second-half to overcome gritty Edinburgh Sat 31 Jan 2026 Inclusivity & Outreach “I love it” – Kelso’s Allison Whitson to deliver match ball at Thunder clash Sat 31 Jan 2026 Schools & Grassroots Evolution Festival set to kick-off Celtic Challenge clash Fri 30 Jan 2026 Cruikshank names new-look backline for Brython test Fri 30 Jan 2026 URC Edinburgh side named for Leinster test Fri 30 Jan 2026 Scotland Men U20 Wolfenden named captain for Scotland U20 Six Nations campaign Thu 29 Jan 2026 URC Lawrie calls for brutal honesty as Edinburgh prepare for Aviva Test Wed 28 Jan 2026 Hive Stadium to host inaugural Celtic Challenge Final Wed 28 Jan 2026 Focus turns to Brython Thunder as Edinburgh Women look to bounce back Mon 26 Jan 2026 Young Edinburgh side fall to clinical Gwalia Lightning Sun 25 Jan 2026 Inclusivity & Outreach Four decades of ‘The Blues’: Heather Bonnar honoured as Community Hero Sat 24 Jan 2026 URC First-half fire not enough as Bulls power back Fri 23 Jan 2026 Brown returns for Gwalia rematch Fri 23 Jan 2026