The Challenge Cup returns on Friday evening with the MHR moving to the Dragons pitch. Six French clubs are competing in the competition, including the debut of Vannes in a European competition. Here are our predictions for the first day of the Challenge Cup.
Dragons – Montpellier
The MHR has been doing better lately. Getting off to a bad start in the championship, the Montpellier team put in two good performances, with an offensive bonus won after the siren against Pau then a good point taken on the UBB pitch. The Cistes will want to confirm this good phase in a competition that they know well having won it twice, in 2016 and 2021. To get the ball rolling, Arthur Vincent's partners will want to honor their status and achieve a big blow straight away on the Dragons pitch, looking for a victory since the end of September and dead last in the URC.
Our prediction: victory for Montpellier.
Bayonne – Scarlets
A dream start to the season on the Basque coast. Fifth in the Top 14 after the first eleven days, Aviron Bayonnais is looking towards the European Cup with a clear mind. A Challenge Cup in which Grégory Patat's men can have great ambitions with their squad strengthened in the off-season and their Jean-Dauger lair still difficult to bring down. Facing the Llanelli Scarlets, the partners of Camille Lopez expected to start at the opening will not want to miss their start in the competition.
Our prediction: victory for Bayonne with the offensive bonus.
Black Lion – Vannes
Brittany discovers European Rugby. After having reached the Top 14 for the first time in their history, Vannes will now taste the joys of European games. And what better way to start thana perilous journey to the Caucasus to challenge the Black Lion. In Georgia, the Vannes residents will have to get rid of the recent winners of the Rugby Europe Super Cup who are participating for the second consecutive year in the Challenge Cup. Last year, the Georgians failed to achieve any success in front of their home crowd (although winning away), and will be keen to unlock their score.
Our prediction: victory for the Black Lion.
Lyon – Cardiff
Lyon and the Challenge Cupit's a love story. In 2022, Lou won his first major title of the 21st century there. With a resolutely offensive playing philosophy, this competition perfectly suits Lyon's qualities. On its fast synthetic pitch, Gerland's arrows can show the full extent of their talent. Above all, mired in a difficult start to the season, Fabien Gengenbacher's men can see this European Cup as a way to regain confidence for the rest of the 2024-2025 financial year.
Our prediction: victory for Lyon with the offensive bonus.
Pau – Newcastle
What if it was the year of the Pau Section ? Finally out of the pools last year, after five consecutive eliminations at this stage of the competition, the Palois have one shot to play to repeat their performance. Faced with the English from Newcastle who have often inherited the dunce cap in recent months, the residents of Le Hameau will want to delight their audience to get the Challenge Cup off to a good start. Before a formidable trip to South Africa which could leave its mark for the rest of the season.
Our prediction: victory for Pau with the offensive bonus.
Cheetahs – Perpignan
Perpignan begins its European Cup with a match against a South African franchise on the Dutch pitch at the National Rugby Center in Amsterdam. The joys of a Challenge Cup that needsan additional team to make up the number and who sees the ideal profile in Cheetahs. However, this same team has not played a single official match since last September and the semi-final of the Currie Cup, the South African championship. It is therefore complicated to comment on the dynamics of the moment, but in the past, this South African team has valiantly defended its skin in the competition. Usap, handicapped by numerous injuries, could well fall from the start.
Our prediction: Cheetahs victory.
