![Rugby. Edinburgh, Scarlets, Black Lion and Gloucester for RC Vannes in the Challenge Cup…[Calendrier Champions cup + Challenge cup 2024-2025]](https://euro.dayfr.com/content/uploads/2024/07/02/89054362ab.jpg)
The die is cast. And they have offered Edinburgh, Scarlets, Black Lion (Georgia) and Gloucester for RC Vannes in the Challenge Cup for the 2024-2025 season. Here are the groups below, while waiting for the exact schedule with the locations of the matches (two at home, two away).
EPCR Challenge Cup 2024/2025
Group 1: Cardiff Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Toyota Cheetahs, USAP, LOU Rugby, Zebre Parma
Group 2: Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Section Paloise, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons RFC, Emirates Lions, Ospreys
Group 3: RC Vannes, Black Lion, Aviron Bayonnais, Scarlets, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby
Investec Champions Cup 2024/2025
Group 1: Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Ulster Rugby.
Group 2: Leinster Rugby, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Stade Rochelais, Bristol Bears, Benetton Rugby, Bath Rugby.
Group 3: Northampton Saints, Munster Rugby, Vodacom Bulls, Stade Français Paris, Saracens, Castres Olympique.
Group 4: Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, Sale Sharks, DHL Stormers, RC Toulon, Harlequins.
Weekends of the 2024/2025 season
Day 1 – December 6/7/8
Day 2 – December 13/14/15
Day 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
Day 4 – January 17/18/19, 2025
Round of 16 – April 4/5/6, 2025
Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
2025 EPCR Challenge Cup Final – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Friday 23 May
Investec Champions Cup Final 2025 – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Saturday 24 May
In addition, RC Vannes continues to strengthen its squad with the arrival of Filipo Nakosi, a Fijian international winger from Castres. The 32-year-old player has signed a two-year contract with the Breton club. The Mako Vunipola and Francis Saili files are also said to be well advanced. In addition, the Challenge Cup draw took place this Tuesday, and we know RC Vannes’ opponents for the first European Cup in the club’s history.
An experienced player in Top 14
Filipo Nakosi is a well-known player in the Top 14, having played nearly 200 matches in the elite of French rugby. After starting his career in New Zealand with Northland, he joined France in 2015 to play with Agen for three seasons. He then wore the colours of Toulon for a season before blossoming at Castres Olympique. It was with the Castres club that Nakosi achieved his best performances, scoring 24 tries in 94 matches and playing in the Top 14 final in 2022, lost to Montpellier (10-29). In the Fijian national team, he was selected three times and participated in the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
With the arrival of Filipo Nakosi, RC Vannes has acquired an experienced and talented player to play in the Top 14. Having already signed Christiaan Van Der Merwe, Hugo Djehi and Fabrice Metz, the Breton club continues to build a competitive squad for its first season in the elite of French rugby.
Photo credit: DR
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