The road to the 2025-2026 EPCR Challenge Cup knockout stages is anything but even.
With 18 clubs spread across three pools, some contenders have drawn a favorable route, while others face a perilous gauntlet.
The pool draw – conducted in Dublin on July 1 – placed newcomers and seasoned heavyweights side by side.
The result is a clear contrast: at one end, a pool offering an arguably gentle progression; at the other, a so-called “Pool of Death” brimming with top-tier clubs.
Teams advancing from the pool stage will reach April’s Round of 16, but how straightforward that journey is depends greatly on their draw.
Early analysis highlights which clubs have the smoothest sailing and which must navigate the fiercest waters en route to the knockouts.
The Easiest Road To Qualification: MHR Of The Top 14
In Pool 1, a handful of clubs appear to have a relatively easy path to the last 16.
French side Montpellier Hérault Rugby stands out as a powerhouse in a pool otherwise filled with less formidable opposition.
Montpellier, the Top 14 champion as recently as 2022, avoids any of Europe’s juggernauts in their group. Instead, the squad faces teams like Italy’s Zebre Parma and newly promoted US Montauban, clubs with modest records on the European stage.
Zebre finished last in the United Rugby Championship, scoring the fewest points (302) and conceding heavily last season.
Montauban, meanwhile, is returning to European competition for the first time since 2009-2010, marking a 15-year absence at this level.
Welsh side Ospreys and Ireland’s Connacht Rugby round out Pool 1.
Both are capable outfits, but neither dominated domestically in recent years.
This favorable mix means Montpellier and other established teams in Pool 1 can realistically target three or four wins.
With the top four from each pool likely to advance, simply beating the pool’s newcomers and strugglers could all but secure a knockout berth. It’s a scenario that offers breathing room – a stark contrast to the pressure-cooker awaiting teams in the toughest group.
The Hardest Path: Pool 3’s Gauntlet: Teams In Pool 3
If Pool 1 is forgiving, Pool 3 is unforgiving.
Immediately dubbed the Challenge Cup’s “group of death” by observers, Pool 3 is stacked with clubs that boast top-tier credentials.
This lone pool contains two recent Champions Cup finalists – Racing 92 of France and Exeter Chiefs of England – as well as Ireland’s Ulster Rugby, a former European champion.
Completing the lineup are Stade Français Paris, another French giant, Wales’ Cardiff Rugby and South Africa’s Toyota Cheetahs.
Several of these teams might ordinarily expect to be competing in the higher-tier Champions Cup, underscoring the pool’s quality.
Racing 92 and Exeter in particular bring serious pedigree – Exeter was crowned European champion in 2020 after defeating Racing in a thrilling final.
Ulster consistently ranks among the top URC sides, and Stade Français is a past domestic champion with a Challenge Cup title in 2017.
In Pool 3, there are no easy games: even the Cheetahs, an invited club, fields many players with international experience.
Only four teams can progress, meaning at least two big names will miss out.
Every point – from a try bonus to a losing bonus – will be fiercely contested.
EPCR Challenge Cup 2025-2026 Fixtures And Kickoff Time
Here’s the full schedule:
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 1 Fixtures
Fri, Dec. 5, 2025
- 2 p.m. ET: Ulster Rugby vs. Racing 92, Affidea Stadium
Sat, Dec. 6, 2025
- 7 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Benetton Rugby, Ellis Park
- 7 a.m. ET: Stade Français Paris vs. Cardiff Rugby, Stade Jean Bouin
- 9:15 a.m. ET: Black Lion vs. Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Lyon O.U. vs. Newcastle Red Bulls, Matmut Stadium de Gerland
- 2 p.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. US Montauban, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Sun, Dec. 7, 2025
- 7 a.m. ET: Perpignan vs. Dragons RFC, Stade Aimé Giral
- 9:15 a.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Connacht Rugby, Dunraven Brewery Field
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Exeter Chiefs vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Sandy Park
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 2 Fixtures
Fri, Dec. 12, 2025
- 2 p.m. ET: Montpellier Hérault Rugby vs. Zebre Parma, Septeo Stadium
Sat, Dec. 13, 2025
- 7 a.m. ET: Benetton Rugby vs. Perpignan, Stadio Monigo
- 7 a.m. ET: Toyota Cheetahs vs. Stade Français Paris, NRCA Stadium
- 9:15 a.m. ET: US Montauban vs. Ospreys, Stade Sapiac
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Newcastle Red Bulls vs. Lions, Kingston Park
- 2 p.m. ET: Cardiff Rugby vs. Ulster Rugby, Cardiff Arms Park
- 2 p.m. ET: Connacht Rugby vs. Black Lion, Dexcom Stadium
Sun, Dec. 14, 2025
- 7 a.m. ET: Racing 92 vs. Exeter Chiefs, TBD
- 9:15 a.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Lyon O.U., Rodney Parade
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 3 Fixtures
Sat, Jan. 10, 2026
- 7 a.m. ET: Stade Français Paris vs. Exeter Chiefs, Stade Jean Bouin
- 7 a.m. ET: US Montauban vs. Black Lion, Stade Sapiac
- 7 a.m. ET: Newcastle Red Bulls vs. Perpignan, Kingston Park
- 9:15 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Lyon O.U., Ellis Park
- 9:15 a.m. ET: Cardiff Rugby vs. Racing 92, Cardiff Arms Park
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Benetton Rugby vs. Dragons RFC, Stadio Monigo
Sun, Jan. 11, 2026
- 7 a.m. ET: Montpellier Hérault Rugby vs. Connacht Rugby, Septeo Stadium
- 7 a.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Ospreys, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
- 9:15 a.m. ET: Toyota Cheetahs vs. Ulster Rugby, NRCA Stadium
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 Fixtures
Fri, Jan. 16, 2026
- 2 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Newcastle Red Bulls, Rodney Parade
Sat, Jan. 17, 2026
- 7 a.m. ET: Ulster Rugby vs. Stade Français Paris, Affidea Stadium
- 7 a.m. ET: Black Lion vs. Zebre Parma, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Perpignan vs. Lions, Stade Aimé Giral
- 2 p.m. ET: Connacht Rugby vs. US Montauban, Dexcom Stadium
- 2 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Dunraven Brewery Field
Sun, Jan. 18, 2026
- 7 a.m. ET: Exeter Chiefs vs. Cardiff Rugby, Sandy Park
- 7 a.m. ET: Lyon O.U. vs. Benetton Rugby, Matmut Stadium de Gerland
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Racing 92 vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Paris La Défense Arena
EPCR Challenge Cup Pools 2025–2026
Pool 1
- Ospreys
- Zebre Parma
- Montpellier Hérault Rugby
- US Montauban
- Black Lion
- Connacht Rugby
Pool 2
- Lyon Olympique Universitaire
- Newcastle Red Bulls
- Dragons RFC
- Benetton Rugby
- Lions
- USAP (Perpignan)
Pool 3
- Toyota Cheetahs
- Cardiff Rugby
- Exeter Chiefs
- Racing 92
- Stade Français Paris
- Ulster Rugby
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