EPCR final: Van Graan’s Bath chase historic treble

• Bath Rugby chase a historic treble in their first EPCR Challenge Cup Final in over 10 years
• Lyon Olympique Universitaire aim to reclaim the title they won in 2022
• Cardiff’s Principality Stadium to host biggest weekend in international club rugby, 23–24 May

The stage is set for a thrilling EPCR Finals weekend, beginning Friday, 23 May, with the EPCR Challenge Cup Final featuring Bath Rugby and Lyon Olympique Universitaire.

This eagerly awaited showdown will take place at Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium, kicking off a blockbuster weekend of club rugby. The action continues on Saturday with the Investec Champions Cup Final between Northampton Saints and Union Bordeaux-Bègles. With nearly 90,000 tickets sold across the two days, fans can expect an unmissable weekend of rugby action.

CLICK HERE for the match preview statistics, and CLICK HERE for a full breakdown of club and individual performances heading into the final.

For Bath Rugby, this match represents a major milestone—it’s their first EPCR Challenge Cup Final in more than a decade. Entering the competition after a fifth-place finish in their Investec Champions Cup pool, Bath have powered through the knockout stages with three dominant wins. Now, they remain firmly in the hunt for an extraordinary treble and a return to Europe’s top tier next season.

Lyon Olympique Universitaire, meanwhile, are eyeing a second EPCR Challenge Cup crown, having lifted the trophy in 2022. Their road to the final has been nothing short of impressive, with just one loss en route, underlining their intent to once again rise to the top.

Adding even more weight, the winner will secure a coveted place in the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup, raising the stakes for what promises to be an unforgettable clash.

Bath’s Max Ojomoh spoke about the importance of the match and called for the English clubs’ fans to make the short trip to Cardiff: “It’s a serious occasion, a great stadium. If the fans haven’t been there before, I really recommend coming down to watch. Lyon are a solid team. In the Challenge Cup you’ve got to win Round of 16, quarters, semis, so you’ve to beat some big teams to get here. They’re obviously going to be a good side. French sides are big, fast, so we’ll see what we can do. The more fans we get there, the better.”

Tickets for the EPCR Challenge Cup Final are still available, starting at just £30. Fans in Cardiff can also enjoy the Champions Rugby Village at Cardiff Arms Park, open 23–24 May. This free-entry fan zone will deliver a vibrant festival atmosphere with entertainment, food, and rugby celebrations for all ages—perfect for fans heading to the games, or simply soaking up the atmosphere of the biggest weekend in international club rugby.

EPCR Challenge Cup key links

• Pool tables
• Fixtures and results
• Line-ups
• Tournament rules, format, and qualification