European draw reaction: “We relish the chance to test ourselves against four outstanding sides.”
1 Jul 2026Head Coach Sean Everitt has given his reaction to Edinburgh's Pool 3 draw in the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup.
Everitt has welcomed the club’s Pool 3 draw in the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup, with his side set to face Harlequins, RC Toulon, RC Vannes and Black Lion.
Everitt said: “We’re excited to get going in the Challenge Cup and to test ourselves against four outstanding teams. It’s a pool that’s going to demand a lot from us, but that’s exactly the kind of challenge we want.
“RC Toulon are a star-studded side and one we know well after facing them in last season’s Champions Cup – that was one of our biggest wins of the year, and it will be great to take them on again.
“We haven’t faced Harlequins in Europe for nearly a decade now, but they’re always a dangerous, entertaining team to play against, home or away.
“Of course we’ll also see them before the season even starts, in our pre-season fixture at The Stoop, so there’s an extra edge to that one.
He continued: “It was a real pleasure travelling to Stade de la Rabine to face RC Vannes a few seasons ago – they have a tremendous fan base and there’s a familiar face on their side now too in Dave Cherry, who was such an important player for us during his time at the club.
“And then Black Lion – a proud rugby nation and a team who brought a brilliant atmosphere to Hive Stadium a few seasons back. It’ll be great to meet them again.”
Edinburgh will play four pool matches across Rounds 1–4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup, running from 16 October 2026 through to 17 January 2027, with the season culminating in the final in Lyon on Friday 21 May 2027.
