After last weekend brought the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 to a close, the battle lines have been drawn for the quarter finals. With just eight teams remaining, all of these sides believe that they can reach the final in Dublin, and lift the Challenge Cup trophy on the 19th of May.
Here are how the quarter finals line-up, for the 2023 European Professional Club Rugby Challenge Cup.
Friday 7th April
Scarlets vs Clermont Auvergne – Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, 20:00 KO
Clermont are the favourites heading into this quarter-final clash, as the visitors have beaten the Scarlets in all six meetings between the two sides. Currently sat at tenth in the ultra-competitive Top 14, Clermont are performing beneath their own expectations, and will be gunning for the Challenge Cup title for a positive end to the season.
After dropping out of the Champions Cup following poor performances in the Pool Stages, Clermont pressed on with new intentions, and started off strong. Christophe Urios’ side travelled to Ashton Gate, and a firery performance saw them eliminate Bristol Bears in the Round of 16. The 2020 Challenge Cup champions were felled by four tries, as Tomas Lavanini, George Moala and a Damien Penaud brace built towards an eventual 26-33 score-line.
The Scarlets saw off Brive in the Round of 16, to book in their home quarter final. A 19-7 win was made possible through second half tries from Vaea Fifita and Aaron Shingler. Welsh fly half Sam Costelow’s three first half penalties built the Scarelts score-line, as the tough conditions made every point count in the Parc y Scarlets.
Saturday 8th April
RC Toulon vs Lyon – Stade Felix Mayol, Toulon, 13:30 KO
Top 14 rivals Toulon and Lyon will meet in Saturday’s opening Challenge Cup match, as the two sides are all-but inseparable in the French first division. Lyon currently sit at fourth in the table, with Bordeaux-Begles and just two points the narrow separation between ‘LOU’ and Toulon.
Lyon will be looking to beat back-to-back French opposition, after fighting back from behind twice against Stade Francais Paris. The back-and-forth contest eventually saw the reigning Challenge Cup champions run away with the match, for a 41-24 score. Guillaume Marchand and Ethan Dumortier both added late tries, for Lyon to stamp their place in the quarter finals.
Toulon overcame some tough South African opposition, to march on towards the Challenge Cup trophy. A 36-21 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs saw the Bloemfontein side bow out of their debut European campaign. Toulon are historically European powerhouses, having won the Champions Cup three times, but have yet to ever win the Challenge Cup. Despite being three-time runners up, the Challenge Cup has alluded Toulon, who look like strong contenders to bring the trophy back to the Mediterranean Coast, with fourth time being the charm.
Benetton vs Cardiff – Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Trevisio, 16:00 KO
Benetton and Cardiff have not met one-another since December of 1999, when the Welsh side ran out convincing victors 40-16. Now, a lot has changed since the last millennium, with Benetton having enjoyed a resurgence as a club, including winning the 2021 Rainbow Cup, with a shock victory over the Bulls.
This match-up is a microcosm of Italy vs Wales in the Six Nations, as the two countries have traded victories in the past two Championships. This match is truly anyone’s game, and Cardiff will be especially motivated to bring home a positive piece of silverware amongst the chaos of the WRU’s contract saga.
Benetton enter the quarter final after a strong showing against Connacht. The 41-19 victory saw the Trevisians overcome the an initial 12-0 lead for the Irish side, as braces for Marcus Watson and Edouardo Padavoni built a strong Benetton lead, with Rhyno Smith and Federico Ruzza also crossing over to score. Cardiff’s one-point win over Sale was a true testament to the Blues’ grit, as the 28-27 victory was a bonified cracker at the Cardiff Arms Park.
Sale were at full strength, as George Ford, Manu Tuilagi and co, took the fight to the resilient Blues. An unexpected win for the Welsh region, as they toppled a Premiership high-flyer, and press on for their first Challenge Cup title since 2018.
Glasgow Warriors vs Emirates Lions – Scoutston Stadium, Glasgow, 20:00 KO
The Emirates Lions are the sole South African side left in the Challenge Cup, and press on to the quarter finals in the debut campaign. The Johannesburg side upset the Top 14 titans Racing 92, with the Parisians left stunned at a 51-28 finals score. The Lions were relentless from the off, and had scored twice within seven minutes against Racing.
Despite dropping to 14 men after Emmanuel Tshituka was sent off just 14 minutes into the game, the Lions continued to run rings around Racing, and out-scored their opponents who tried to forge a comeback. The Lions will be without their home field advantage this weekend, and will have to acclimatise ahead of the trip up to Glasgow.
The Warriors ran roughshod in the round of 16, putting out an emphatic statement to the rest of the Challenge Cup contenders. A shattering 73-33 victory over the Dragons, saw the Newport side slain at the Scoutston Stadium. Hooker Johnny Matthews scored a staggering five tries against the Dragons, setting the record for tries scored by a Glasgow hooker in a single game.
The Glasgow forwards dominated the Dragons, with the Lions weary of their physical threat this coming Saturday.
The semi-final places in the 2023 Challange Cup are on the line this weekend, who will take the next step towards Dublin, and a shot at the trophy.