Lions in the mix as EPCR Challenge Cup set for decisive finale

The Lions are alive in the EPCR Challenge Cup, if only just. But they are alive and can control their own destiny with victory in this weekend’s final round of the Pool stages.

Round 3 of the EPCR Challenge Cup delivered plenty of drama, with key wins for Stade Français, Newcastle Red Bulls and Benetton Rugby. The latter three are all unbeaten.

Montpellier Hérault Rugby produced one of the comebacks of the weekend, scoring 19 unanswered points to edge Connacht Rugby 33-31 in a thriller.

Exeter Chiefs also travelled to Stade Français for a classic encounter, but the French side again struck late to complete another comeback win. Elsewhere, Georgia’s Black Lion picked up their first points with an away victory at US Montauban.

With the third matchday complete, attention now turns to the final round of the pool stages.

The top four teams from each pool qualify for the knockout stages, with 12 qualifiers joined by four clubs dropping down from the Investec Champions Cup.

Pool 2: Lions face decisive showdown in Perpignan

The biggest South African storyline sits in Pool 2, where the Lions are still firmly in the hunt.

Benetton Rugby and Newcastle Red Bulls have already booked their places in the knockouts after three straight wins, but the remaining four sides are still alive in the qualification race.

USAP sit third on six points level with the Lions with the two teams set to clash in Perpignan in Round 4 in what shapes as a decisive, winner-takes-control encounter.

Dragons RFC (5th) host Newcastle Red Bulls, while Lyon Olympique Universitaire (6th) welcome Benetton, meaning the Lions will know exactly what’s required when they take the field.

Pool 1: Montpellier lead as Black Lion eye late push

In Pool 1, Montpellier Hérault Rugby top the standings with 15 points after collecting three bonus-point wins.

They travel to Ospreys (2nd) in a direct shoot-out for first place, with the Welsh side four points back but already qualified.

Zebre Parma (3rd) face a tough test away to Black Lion, who are fifth but full of belief after their bonus-point win at Montauban last weekend. The Georgian side will back themselves to jump into the qualification spots by the end of Round 4.

Connacht (4th) will target nothing less than victory against US Montauban as they aim to lock down the qualifying position they currently hold.

Pool 3: already settled

Pool 3’s fate has already been decided after Stade Français secured maximum points at the weekend.

Ulster Rugby sit second, with Cardiff Rugby and Exeter Chiefs in third and fourth respectively.

The Cheetahs, winless in their first two rounds, could not play Ulster in Amsterdam this weekend because of the snow and ice, which made the field unplayable. As hosts they forfeited the match and Ulster were awarded a 28-0 (four converted tries bonus point) victory.

It ended the Cheetahs challenge.

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