The Challenge Cup group stage concluded this weekend. Here is the complete table of the final phase with, in particular, five French clubs.
The “small” European Cup has succeeded in the top 14 club this season. Five of the six French clubs involved qualified for the round of 16. Only Vannes will not experience the thrill of a decisive European match in the spring despite a good run and a victory against Gloucester on the second day. For the other French teams, there is still hope. The table for the final phase is established according to a particular formula. All teams are ranked from 1 to 16 according to the position in their group and according to their number of points. The first eight receive the round of 16.
Five French clubs will receive in the eighth
The MHR finished second in the general classification with 19 points out of 20. Thanks to this position, the Montpellier residents opened the royal road for this final phase and could receive in each round until the final. Joan Caudullo's men will therefore welcome Gloucester (15th) in the round of 16. Lyon, Bayonne, Pau and Perpignan also performed well and ranked among the top eight teams in the group stage. The four clubs will receive in the next round.
Racing 92 will be transferred from the Champions Cup and is ranked ninth in the general classification. The South Africans Bulls (11th) and Sharks (12th) as well as the English Bath (10th) will participate in the final phase of the Challenge Cup after having poorly negotiated their four Champions Cup matches.
-All the posters for the round of 16
- Connacht (1) – Cardiff (16)
- Talk (8) – Racing 92 (9)
- Lyon (5) – Sharks (12)
- Ospreys (4) – Scarlets (13)
- Montpellier (2) – Gloucester (15)
- Pau (7) – Bath (10)
- Bayonne (6) – Bulls (11)
- Edinburgh (3) – Lions (14)
The complete ranking at the end of the group stage
- 1. Connacht (20 points, + 81)
- 2. Montpellier (19 points, + 90)
- 3. Edinburgh (16 points, + 60)
- 4. Ospreys (15 points, – 5)
- 5. Lyon (14 points, + 32)
- 6. Bayonne (14 points, + 24)
- 7. Pau (12 points, + 11)
- 8. Perpignan (11 points, + 8)
- 9. Racing 92 (9 points, – 12)
- 10. Bath (7 points, – 12)
- 11. Bulls (5 points, – 29)
- 12. Sharks (5 points, – 87)
- 13. Scarlets (11 points, + 3)
- 14. Lions (10 points, + 19)
- 15. Gloucester (9 points, – 33)
- 16. Cardiff (7 points, – 7)
Potential quarter-final posters
- Quarter final 1: Connacht (1) or Cardiff (16) – Talk (8) or Racing 92 (9)
- Quarter-final 2: Lyon (5) ou Sharks (12) – Ospreys (4) or Scarlets (13)
- Quarter-final 3: Montpellier (2) or Gloucester (15) – Pau (7) or Bath (10)
- Quarter-final 4: Bayonne (6) or Bulls (11) – Edinburgh (3) or Lions (14)
Important note : the best ranked teams in the general classification will advance to the quarter-finals. For example, if Montpellier wins against Gloucester, the MHR will host Pau or Bath. But if the English create the feat, they will move to Béarn or to England.
Potential semi-final posters
- Semi-final 1 : Quarter-final 1 / Quarter-final 2
- Semi-final 2 : Quarter-final 3 / Quarter-final 4
The round of 16 will take place on the weekend of April 5. The quarter-finals will be held the following week. The semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of May 2 and the final on May 24.
