The draw
Group A: Cardiff, Connacht Rugby, Cheetahs, Perpignan, Lyon and Zebre Parma.
Group B: Montpellier, Pau, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons RFC, Lions and Ospreys.
Group C: RC Vannes, Black Lion, Aviron Bayonnais, Scarlets, Edinburgh and Gloucester.
The Bretons will therefore play against the Georgian franchise of the Black Lion (whose second participation in the Challenge Cup will be after a fifth place in their group last season), based in Tbilisi, the Basques of Aviron Bayonnais (12th in the last Top 14), the Llanelli Scarlets (historic club of Wales and 13th in the last season of United Rugby Championship), Edinburgh (10th in the last season of United Rugby Championship) and Gloucester (10th in the last English championship)
Qualification rules
After the four group stage matches, the top four teams in each group qualify* for the round of 16. They are joined by the 5th teams from the four Champions Cup groups.
* 4 points for a win; 2 for a draw; 1 offensive bonus point if the team scores 4 or more tries; 1 defensive bonus point if the team loses by 7 points or less.
RC Vannes’ European Cup calendar
Day 1. The weekend of December 6, 7 and 8.
Day 2. The weekend of December 13, 14 and 15.
Day 3. January 10, 11 and 12, 2025.
Day 4. January 17, 18 and 19, 2025.
Round of 16. April 4, 5 and 6, 2025.
Quarter-finals. April 11, 12 and 13, 2025.
Semi-finals. The weekend of May 2, 3 and 4.
Final. Friday 23 May 2025 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (Wales).
