DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
*****************************************************
#Post#: 155444--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: poorfour
Date: June 15, 2026, 5:07 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
It’s only because the format was set before the other prem clubs
went under; and before that we had that long period when you’d
have poor Pro12 teams in it because they carried forward their
share of the slots from before the Celtic and Italian leagues
merged.
There’s no perfect format, but on the assumption that the Prem
opens to new (or phoenixed) teams in the next couple of years,
the current imbalance will be a short(ish) term blip.
#Post#: 155447--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: J Scott
Date: June 16, 2026, 2:39 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The key dates for the EPCR 2026/27:
Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Pool Draws –
Wednesday 1 July
Round 1 - 16/17/18 October 2026
Round 2 - 11/12/13 December 2026
Round 3 - 8/9/10 January 2027
Round 4 - 15/16/17 January 2027
Round of 16 - 2/3/4 April 2027
Quarter-Finals - 9/10/11 April 2027
Semi-Finals - 30 April / 1/2 May 2027
EPCR Challenge Cup Final - Friday 21 May 2027
Investec Champions Cup Final - Saturday 22 May 2027
#Post#: 155450--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: Nico Wilson
Date: June 16, 2026, 3:44 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: poorfour link ---
>
> It’s only because the format was set before the other prem
clubs went under; and before that we had that long period when
you’d have poor Pro12 teams in it because they carried forward
their share of the slots from before the Celtic and Italian
leagues merged.
>
> There’s no perfect format, but on the assumption that the Prem
opens to new (or phoenixed) teams in the next couple of years,
the current imbalance will be a short(ish) term blip.
>
--- End Quote ---
I'm presuming the two invitational sides are to "top up" the two
clubs missing because the Prem is is down to 10 clubs.
#Post#: 155453--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: Iamsnakes
Date: June 16, 2026, 3:54 am
---------------------------------------------------------
It wont be great for season ticket sales obvs.
Still some quality from the top 14.
Toulon must be favourites.
#Post#: 155460--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: Nico Wilson
Date: June 16, 2026, 5:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
And Benetton aren't too shabby with the arrival of ex Quin Louis
Lynagh
#Post#: 155461--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: June 16, 2026, 6:24 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Nico Wilson link ---
>
> And Benetton aren't too shabby with the arrival of ex Quin
Louis Lynagh
>
--- End Quote ---
Lynagh scored a few tries but Benetton didn't have a great
season.
#Post#: 155462--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: West Stand Quin
Date: June 16, 2026, 6:59 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The problem is how seriously lots of the sides will take it. The
French have had little interest in the challenge cup and
similarly The Sharks for any away game.
#Post#: 155463--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: June 16, 2026, 8:00 am
---------------------------------------------------------
For the French teams it often depends on what their domestic
situation is like. If they think they're in danger fighting to
avoid relegation or there's a realistic chance to get into the
top 8 (for Champions Cup qualification) or top 6 (knock out
rounds of the Top 14) based on their domestic form, then the
Challenge cup is very much an also-ran in their thoughts.
However, if they reckon they're more likely to be placed 9-12 in
the table, then they quite often will try for the Challenge cup
as a stepping stone for the following season, much like we will
be...
#Post#: 155469--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: New Forest Quin
Date: June 16, 2026, 10:02 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully and opportunity to play RC Vannes which is pretty
local to us in Brittany and is a fantastic experience with an
atmosphere similar to Clermont and the ground a few yards from
the harbour and its many bars.
#Post#: 155470--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Teams for 26/27 Season Listed
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: June 16, 2026, 10:13 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: New Forest Quin link ---
>
> Hopefully and opportunity to play RC Vannes which is pretty
local to us in Brittany and is a fantastic experience with an
atmosphere similar to Clermont and the ground a few yards from
the harbour and its many bars.
>
--- End Quote ---
Vannes is beautiful, a walled medieval city, has a market on
Wednesdays and Saturdays, knowing our luck we will get Toulon,
which reminds me of Portsmouth with nice weather.
*****************************************************
Page 2 of 5
DIR Previous Page
DIR Next Page