Edinburgh Rugby to host Gloucester and Castres Olympique in EPCR Challenge Cup

• 13 Jul 2023
• News

Edinburgh Rugby will host English Premiership side Gloucester and French Top 14 club Castres Olympique in the EPCR Challenge Cup this upcoming season – with both matches included in the 12-match season ticket membership.

The capital club will also travel to face ASM Clermont Auvergne and URC rivals Scarlets in Pool 3 as tournament organisers EPCR today announced the fixture schedule for the European competition, which kicks off in December.

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director Douglas Struth said: “We’re really excited to see both Gloucester and Castres Olympique visit the Scottish capital this upcoming season in what are two top-drawer European fixtures.

“Gloucester is a club we have great history with having faced them in the 2014/15 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stoop where we became the first-ever Scottish side to reach a European Final.

“While Castres are a team that we took on home and away last season, winning both, and it will be brilliant to welcome them back to Edinburgh for another massive European clash.

“We’ve seen some big European wins against Saracens and Bath in recent seasons. I’d encourage all our fans to get behind the team in the Challenge Cup this year with a Season Ticket Membership, where our fans will no doubt pack out our home to recreate those red-hot atmospheres that make European nights so special.”

Edinburgh open their European campaign away to French giants ASM Clermont Auvergne on Friday 8 December (kick-off 9pm local), with the match taking place at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

Burgh fans can then look forward to a Christmas cracker the following Saturday (16 December) as Castres Olympique – who Edinburgh beat home and away in last year’s Champions Cup competition – return to the Scottish capital for an early 1pm kick-off.

European rugby returns north in the New Year, with all eyes on a 2014/15 Challenge Cup Final rematch against two-times competition winners Gloucester.

Supporters won’t want to miss this massive cross-border clash with the cherry and whites – whose squad features Scotland internationalists Adam Hastings and Chris Harris – on Saturday 13 January (kick-off 5.30pm).

The capital side then close out Pool 3 the following weekend with a familiar trip to West Wales to take on Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Friday 19 January (kick-off 8pm).

The best way to guarantee your place at home fixtures against Gloucester and Castres Olympique is with a 2023/24 Season Ticket Membership.

Buying a Season Ticket will save supporters, on average, around 30% on matchday prices, while also offering an array of benefits including exclusive open training sessions and member events, as well as priority access to knockout BKT URC and European match tickets.

With an interest free, direct debit payment plan (up to four monthly payments) and student tickets starting at £99, there is a Season Ticket Membership for everyone to join another massive campaign in the Scottish capital.

Broadcast and ticketing details for all European fixtures will be communicated to supporters at a later date.

2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures

Round 1
Vs ASM Clermont Auvergne [AWAY]
Stade Marcel-Michelin
Friday 8 December
Kick-off 9pm local

Round 2
Vs Castres Olympique [HOME]
Hive Stadium
Saturday 16 December
Kick-off 1pm

Round 3
Vs Gloucester Rugby [HOME]
Hive Stadium
Saturday 13 January
Kick-off 5.30pm

Round 4
Vs Scarlets [AWAY]
Parc y Scarlets
Friday 19 January
Kick-off 8pm