Challenge Cup Pool opponents confirmed

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 21: Edinburgh fans during a Challenge Cup match between Edinburgh and CA Brive at the DAM Health Stadium, on January 21, 2022, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Tournament organisers EPCR today named Georgia’s Black Lion as the invitational side joining Pool 3, as well as their opponents (Gloucester Rugby, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Castres Olympique and Scarlets).

The revised tournament structure for this season’s competition sees each Challenge Cup team face four of its five pool opponents – two home fixtures and two away matches – with today’s update confirming Edinburgh’s opponents will therefore be Gloucester Rugby, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Castres Olympique and Scarlets will be coming to the capital this season.

Both home European fixtures are included in the 2023/24 Season Ticket Memberships, which are on sale now: buy yours today.

With potential mouth-watering home fixtures coming our way, supporters are encouraged to get their membership now to secure their place for two unmissable European contests.

Full details of the fixture schedules for the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup and Champions Cup will be announced as soon as practicable, with the tournaments set to kick off with the first round of pool stage matches on the weekend of 8/9/10 December.

2023/24 POOL 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

Black Lion will make history by becoming the first Georgian club to play in one of EPCR’s main professional tournaments, while Bloemfontein-based Toyota Cheetahs also accepted an invitation and will take their place again after reaching the knockout stage of last season’s Challenge Cup.

Black Lion will host their European matches in Tbilisi, while the Toyota Cheetahs will use Amsterdam as their agreed ‘home’ when pitted against European opponents.

EPCR Chairman, Dominic McKay, said: “The inclusion of Black Lion and the return of the Toyota Cheetahs reflect a continuing commitment to widen the scope of our tournaments and to showcase new, exciting talent for fans worldwide.”

Georgian Rugby Union President, Ioseb Tkemaladze, said: “This is a hugely important moment for Georgian rugby and for the country. We’ve all been working hard for this – on the pitch and behind the scenes – for many years.”