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{{Short description|Second-tier rugby union competition}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox European Rugby Cup season
{{Infobox European Rugby Cup season
| name = 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup
| name = 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup
Line 9: Line 11:
| teams = 14+8
| teams = 14+8
| champions = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]
| champions = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]
| count =
| count = 2
| runner-up = {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Leicester Tigers]]
| runner-up = {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Leicester Tigers]]
| matches = 27
| matches = 27
| tries =
| tries =
| attendance = + 12000
| attendance = 12000
| highest attendance = 10,000
| highest attendance = 10,000
| lowest attendance =
| lowest attendance =
Line 26: Line 28:
| next year = 2021–22
| next year = 2021–22
}}
}}
The '''2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup''' is the seventh edition of the [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]], an annual second-tier [[rugby union]] competition for professional clubs. Including the predecessor competition, the original European Challenge Cup, this is the 25th edition of European club rugby's second-tier competition.
The '''2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup''' is the seventh edition of the [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]], an annual second-tier [[rugby union]] competition for professional clubs. Including the predecessor competition, the original European Challenge Cup, this was the 25th edition of European club rugby's second-tier competition.


The tournament began in December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=New EPCR dates for 2019/20 announced|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2020/06/25/new-epcr-dates-for-2019-20-announced/|access-date=25 June 2020|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref> The final, originally scheduled to be held at the [[Stade Vélodrome]] in Marseille,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-31|title=EPCR statement – 2021 Marseille finals and semi-final matches|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/03/31/statement-2021-marseille-finals-and-semi-finals/|access-date=2021-03-31|website=European Professional Club Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref> will take place on 21 May 2021 at [[Twickenham Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-30|title=Twickenham Stadium to host 2021 EPCR finals|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/04/30/twickenham-stadium-to-host-2021-epcr-finals/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=European Professional Club Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref>
The tournament began in December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=New EPCR dates for 2019/20 announced|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2020/06/25/new-epcr-dates-for-2019-20-announced/|access-date=25 June 2020|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref> The final, originally scheduled to be held at the [[Stade Vélodrome]] in Marseille,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=31 March 2021|title=EPCR statement – 2021 Marseille finals and semi-final matches|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/03/31/statement-2021-marseille-finals-and-semi-finals/|access-date=31 March 2021|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref> took place on 21 May 2021 at [[Twickenham Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 April 2021|title=Twickenham Stadium to host 2021 EPCR finals|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/04/30/twickenham-stadium-to-host-2021-epcr-finals/|access-date=30 April 2021|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref>


On 11 January, 2021 EPRC announced the competition was suspended temporarily due to new restrictions surrounding the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-11|title=EPCR tournaments temporarily suspended|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/01/11/epcr-tournaments-temporarily-suspended/|access-date=2021-01-11|website=European Professional Club Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref> A revised format to finish the tournament was announced on 24 February 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-02-24|title=Revised EPCR tournament formats for 2020/21 season announced|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/02/24/revised-epcr-tournament-formats-for-2020-21-season-announced/|access-date=2021-02-24|website=European Professional Club Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 11 January 2021 EPCR announced the competition was suspended temporarily due to new restrictions surrounding the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 January 2021|title=EPCR tournaments temporarily suspended|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/01/11/epcr-tournaments-temporarily-suspended/|access-date=11 January 2021|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref> A revised format to finish the tournament was announced on 24 February 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=24 February 2021|title=Revised EPCR tournament formats for 2020/21 season announced|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/02/24/revised-epcr-tournament-formats-for-2020-21-season-announced/|access-date=24 February 2021|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref>


== Teams ==
== Teams ==
Fourteen teams will qualify for the 2020–21 European Challenge Cup from [[Premiership Rugby]], the [[Pro14]] and the [[Top 14]], as a direct result of their domestic league performance having not qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup. Although, the two South African Pro14 teams are not eligible.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 September 2020|title=New EPCR tournament formats agreed for 2020/21 season|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2020/09/02/new-epcr-tournament-formats-agreed-for-2020-21-season/|access-date=2 September 2020|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref>
Fourteen teams will qualified for the 2020–21 European Challenge Cup from [[Premiership Rugby]], the [[Pro14]] and the [[Top 14]], as a direct result of their domestic league performance having not qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup. Although, the two South African Pro14 teams are not eligible.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 September 2020|title=New EPCR tournament formats agreed for 2020/21 season|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2020/09/02/new-epcr-tournament-formats-agreed-for-2020-21-season/|access-date=2 September 2020|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref>


The distribution of teams will be:
The distribution of teams was:


* England: four teams
* England: four teams
Line 41: Line 43:
** The champion of the [[2019–20 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]
** The champion of the [[2019–20 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]
* France: six teams
* France: six teams
** Any teams finishing between 8th and 14th position in the [[2019–20 Top 14 season|Top 14]] that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
** Any teams finishing between 9th and 14th position in the [[2019–20 Top 14 season|Top 14]] that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
* Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales: four teams
* Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales: four teams
** Four teams from the [[2019–20 Pro14|Pro14]], excluding the South African teams, that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
** Four teams from the [[2019–20 Pro14|Pro14]], excluding the South African teams, that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
Line 270: Line 272:
|}
|}


==Preliminary Stage==
==Preliminary stage==
{{CSS image crop
{{CSS image crop
|Image = {{Location map+ |Europe|width=1300 |caption=Locations
|Image = {{Location map+ |Europe|width=1300 |caption=Locations
Line 330: Line 332:
|width=14%| {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] (12 Pro14)
|width=14%| {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] (12 Pro14)
|width=13%| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Section Paloise|Pau]] (12 Top 14)
|width=13%| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Section Paloise|Pau]] (12 Top 14)
|width=13%| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Stade Français]] (14 Top 14)
|width=13%| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Stade Français]] (14 Top 14)
|width=13%| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Zebre]] (11 Top 14)
|width=13%| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Zebre]] (11 Top 14)
|}
|}


The preliminary stage would consist of a single pool of 14 teams. No team would play a team in the same tier and no club would play another club from the same league. Each team was scheduled to play four matches with the top eight teams advancing to the knockout stage. The top eight teams were due to be joined in the round of 16 by the teams finishing between 5th and 8th in each pool of the [[2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup#Pool stage|2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup pool stage]].
The preliminary stage would consist of a single pool of 14 teams. No team would play a team in the same tier and no club would play another club from the same league. Each team was scheduled to play four matches with the top eight teams advancing to the knockout stage. The top eight teams were due to be joined in the round of 16 by the teams finishing between 5th and 8th in each pool of the [[2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup#Pool stage|2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup pool stage]].


The revised format announced in February 2021 would see the top 8 teams after 2 pool games advance to the round of 16 along with the eight teams placed between 9th and 12th in each pool of the Champions Cup.<ref name=":0" />
The revised format announced in February 2021 would see the top 8 teams after 2 pool games advance to the round of 16 along with the eight teams placed between 9th and 12th in each pool of the Champions Cup.<ref name=":0" />
{{trim|{{#section-h:2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup preliminary stage|Table}}}}
===Last 16 rankings===


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Key to colours
|+Key to colours
| bgcolor="#ccffcc" |    
| style="background-color:#ccffcc" |    
|Top 8 advance to round of 16.
|Top 8 in Challenge Cup
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |    
| style="background-color:#ccccff" |    
|Champions Cup 17th-24th
|Eliminated after preliminary stage
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup table}}
|-

!width="200"|Team
{{2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup last 16 table}}
!width="25"|P
!width="20"|W
!width="20"|D
!width="20"|L
!width="20"|PF
!width="20"|PA
!width="35"|Diff
!width="20"|TF
!width="20"|TA
!width="20"|TB
!width="20"|LB
!width="20"|Pts
|- style="background-color:#ccffcc"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[London Irish]]
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 60 || 25 || +35 || 9 || 3 || 2 || 0 || '''10'''
|- style="background-color:#ccffcc"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]]
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 77 || 44 || +33 || 9 || 6 || 2 || 0 || '''10'''
|- style="background-color:#ccffcc"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Cardiff Blues]]
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 61 || 20 || +41 || 7 || 2 || 1 || 0 || '''9'''
|- style="background-color:#ccffcc"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Leicester Tigers]]
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 67 || 37 || +30 || 7 || 3 || 1 || 0 || '''9'''
|- style="background-color:#ccffcc"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Zebre]]
| 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 43 || 41 || +2 || 5 || 4 || 0 || 0 || '''6'''
|-style="background-color:#ccffcc"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
| 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 36 || 34 || +2 || 5 || 5 || 1 || 0 || '''5'''
|-style="background-color:#ccffcc"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]
| 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 44 || 48 || −4 || 7 || 7 || 1 || 0 || '''5'''
|-style="background-color:#ccffcc"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Newcastle Falcons]]
| 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 46 || 50 || −4 || 5 || 6 || 0 || 0 || '''4'''
|-style="background-color:#ccccff"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 56 || 67 || −11 || 7 || 9 || 1 || 2 || '''3'''
|-style="background-color:#ccccff"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 40 || 53 || −13 || 5 || 8 || 0 || 1 || '''1'''
|-style="background-color:#ccccff"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Northampton Saints]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 31 || 51 || −20 || 3 || 5 || 0 || 1 || '''1'''
|- style="background-color:#ccccff"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 19 || 51 || −32 || 2 || 6 || 0 || 1 || '''1'''
|-style="background-color:#ccccff"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 28 || 68 || −40 || 3 || 10 || 0 || 0 || '''0'''
|- style="background-color:#ccccff"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Dragons (rugby union)|Dragons]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 16 || 71 || −55 || 2 || 11 || 0 || 0 || '''0'''
|-style="background-color:#ccccff"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 14 || 70 || −56 || 2 || 9 || 0 || 0 || '''0'''
|-style="background-color:#ccccff"
| style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Glasgow Warriors]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 70 || −70 || 0 || 10 || 0 || 0 || '''0'''
|}


==Knockout Stage==
==Knockout stage==
The knockout stage commenced with a round of 16 consisting of the top 8 ranked teams from the preliminary stage and the teams placed between 9th and 12th in each Champions Cup pool. Due to the truncation of the preliminary stage, a draw was used to determine matches in both round of 16 and quarter-finals but no team would face a team from the same league in the round of 16. Teams which won both their matches and were not awarded points due to COVID cancellations would be guaranteed home advantage. Therefore, [[Leicester Tigers]], [[London Irish]] and [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] received home advantage.<ref name=":0" />
The knockout stage commenced with a round of 16 consisting of the top 8 ranked teams from the preliminary stage and the teams placed between 9th and 12th in each Champions Cup pool. Due to the truncation of the preliminary stage, a draw was used to determine matches in both round of 16 and quarter-finals but no team would face a team from the same league in the round of 16. Teams which won both their matches and were not awarded points due to COVID cancellations would be guaranteed home advantage. Therefore, [[Leicester Tigers]], [[London Irish]] and [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] received home advantage.<ref name=":0" />


The draw for the round of 16 and quarter-finals took place on 9 March 2021 in [[Lausanne]], [[Switzerland]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-08|title=All you need to know about the European Rugby Challenge Cup knockout stage draws|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/03/08/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-european-rugby-challenge-cup-knockout-stage-draws/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=European Professional Club Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref>
The draw for the round of 16 and quarter-finals took place on 9 March 2021 in [[Lausanne]], [[Switzerland]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 March 2021|title=All you need to know about the European Rugby Challenge Cup knockout stage draws|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/03/08/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-european-rugby-challenge-cup-knockout-stage-draws/|access-date=9 March 2021|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref>

===Bracket===
===Bracket===
{{16TeamBracket-NoSeeds
{{16TeamBracket-NoSeeds
Line 362: Line 428:
| RD4 = [[#Final|Final]]
| RD4 = [[#Final|Final]]


| RD1-team1 ='''{{flagicon|ENG}} {{nobreak|[[Leicester Tigers]]}}'''
| group1 =
| RD1-score1 = '''48'''
| group2 =
| RD1-team2 = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]]

| team-width =
| RD1-score2 = 32
| score-width =

| RD1-team13 = {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Dragons (rugby union)|Dragons]]
| RD1-score13 = 39
| RD1-team14 = '''{{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Northampton Saints]]}}'''
| RD1-score14 = '''43'''


| RD1-team11 = {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]]
| RD1-team3 = {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]]
| RD1-score11 = 24
| RD1-score3 = 24
| RD1-team12 = '''{{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Newcastle Falcons]]}}'''
| RD1-team4 = '''{{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Newcastle Falcons]]}}'''
| RD1-score12 = '''28'''
| RD1-score4 = '''28'''


| RD1-team3 = '''{{flagicon|ENG}} {{nobreak|[[London Irish]]}}'''
| RD1-team5 = {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Dragons (rugby union)|Dragons]]
| RD1-score3 = '''41'''
| RD1-score5 = 39
| RD1-team4 = {{flagicon|WAL}} {{nobreak|[[Cardiff Blues]]}}
| RD1-team6 = '''{{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Northampton Saints]]}}'''
| RD1-score4 = 35
| RD1-score6 = '''43'''


| RD1-team15 = {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]]
| RD1-team7 = {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]]
| RD1-score15 = 21
| RD1-score7 = 21
| RD1-team16 = '''{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]'''
| RD1-team8 = '''{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]'''
| RD1-score16 = '''57'''
| RD1-score8 = '''57'''


| RD1-team7 = '''{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]'''
| RD1-team9 = {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Zebre]]
| RD1-score7 = '''29'''
| RD1-score9 = 27
| RD1-team8 = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
| RD1-team10 = '''{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]'''
| RD1-score8 = 16
| RD1-score10 = '''35'''


| RD1-team1 = {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Zebre]]
| RD1-team11 = '''{{flagicon|ENG}} {{nobreak|[[London Irish]]}}'''
| RD1-score1 = 27
| RD1-score11 = '''41'''
| RD1-team2 = '''{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]'''
| RD1-team12 = {{flagicon|WAL}} {{nobreak|[[Cardiff Blues]]}}
| RD1-score2 = '''35'''
| RD1-score12 = 35


| RD1-team9 ='''{{flagicon|ENG}} {{nobreak|[[Leicester Tigers]]}}'''
| RD1-team13 = '''{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]'''
| RD1-score9 = '''48'''
| RD1-score13 = '''26'''
| RD1-team10 = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]]
| RD1-team14 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Glasgow Warriors]]}}
| RD1-score10 = 32
| RD1-score14 = 21


| RD1-team5 = '''{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]'''
| RD1-team15 = '''{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]'''
| RD1-score5 = '''26'''
| RD1-score15 = '''29'''
| RD1-team6 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Glasgow Warriors]]}}
| RD1-team16 = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
| RD1-score6 = 21
| RD1-score16 = 16


| RD2-team1 = '''{{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]}}'''
| RD2-team1 = '''{{flagicon|ENG}} {{nobreak|[[Leicester Tigers]]}}'''
| RD2-score1 = '''26'''
| RD2-score1 = '''39'''
| RD2-team2 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[London Irish]]}}
| RD2-team2 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Newcastle Falcons]]}}
| RD2-score2 = 13
| RD2-score2 = 15


| RD2-team3 = {{flagicon|FRA}} '''[[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]'''
| RD2-team3 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Northampton Saints]]}}
| RD2-score3 ='''31'''
| RD2-score3 = 27
| RD2-team4 = {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]
| RD2-team4 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} '''[[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]''' }}
| RD2-score4 = 25
| RD2-score4 = '''35'''


| RD2-team5 = '''{{flagicon|ENG}} {{nobreak|[[Leicester Tigers]]}}'''
| RD2-team5 = '''{{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]}}'''
| RD2-score5 = '''39'''
| RD2-score5 = '''26'''
| RD2-team6 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Newcastle Falcons]]}}
| RD2-team6 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[London Irish]]}}
| RD2-score6 = 15
| RD2-score6 = 13


| RD2-team7 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Northampton Saints]]}}
| RD2-team7 = {{flagicon|FRA}} '''[[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]'''
| RD2-score7 = 27
| RD2-score7 ='''31'''
| RD2-team8 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} '''[[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]''' }}
| RD2-team8 = {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]
| RD2-score8 = '''35'''
| RD2-score8 = 25


| RD3-team1 = {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]
| RD3-team1 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} '''[[Leicester Tigers]]'''}}
| RD3-score1 = 10
| RD3-score1 = '''33'''
| RD3-team2 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|FRA}} '''[[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]'''}}
| RD3-team2 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]}}
| RD3-score2 = '''19'''
| RD3-score2 = 24


| RD3-team3 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} '''[[Leicester Tigers]]'''}}
| RD3-team3 = {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]
| RD3-score3 = '''33'''
| RD3-score3 = 10
| RD3-team4 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]}}
| RD3-team4 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|FRA}} '''[[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]'''}}
| RD3-score4 = 24
| RD3-score4 = '''19'''


| RD4-team1 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]}}
| RD4-team1 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Leicester Tigers]]}}
| RD4-score1 =
| RD4-score1 = 17
| RD4-team2 = {{nobreak|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Leicester Tigers]]}}
| RD4-team2 = '''{{nobreak|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]}}'''
| RD4-score2 =
| RD4-score2 = '''18'''
}}
}}


===Round of 16===
===Round of 16===
Fixtures were announced on 16 March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-16|title=Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture dates announced|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/03/16/challenge-cup-round-of-16-fixture-dates-announced/|access-date=2021-03-16|website=European Professional Club Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Fixtures were announced on 16 March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 March 2021|title=Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture dates announced|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/2021/03/16/challenge-cup-round-of-16-fixture-dates-announced/|access-date=16 March 2021|website=European Professional Club Rugby}}</ref>
{{Rugbybox
{{Rugbybox
|date = 2 April 2021
|date = 2 April 2021
Line 489: Line 549:
|con1 = [[Alex Lozowski|Lozowski]] (2/2) 40', 44'
|con1 = [[Alex Lozowski|Lozowski]] (2/2) 40', 44'
|pen1 = [[Alex Lozowski|Lozowski]] (4/6) 14', 24', 58', 71'
|pen1 = [[Alex Lozowski|Lozowski]] (4/6) 14', 24', 58', 71'
|pen2 = [[Adam Hastings|Hastings]] (5/5) 1', 16', 27', 55', 62'<br>[[Ross Thompson (rugby union)|Thompson]] (2/2) 70', 73'
|pen2 = [[Adam Hastings|Hastings]] (5/5) 1', 16', 27', 55', 62'<br>[[Ross Thompson (rugby union, born 1999)|Thompson]] (2/2) 70', 73'
|stadium = [[Altrad Stadium|GGL Stadium]]
|stadium = [[Altrad Stadium|GGL Stadium]]
|attendance = 0
|attendance = 0
Line 500: Line 560:
|score = 29–16
|score = 29–16
|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/benetton-reach-quarter-finals-in-29-16-victory#report Report]
|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/benetton-reach-quarter-finals-in-29-16-victory#report Report]
|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne|Agen]]
|try1 = [[Dewaldt Duvenage|Duvenage]] 20' m<br>[[Monty Ioane|Ioane]] 45' m<br>[[Ignacio Brex|Brex]] 62' m<br>[[Edoardo Padovani|Padovani]] 73' m
|try1 = [[Dewaldt Duvenage|Duvenage]] 20' m<br>[[Monty Ioane|Ioane]] 45' m<br>[[Ignacio Brex|Brex]] 62' m<br>[[Edoardo Padovani|Padovani]] 73' m
|pen1 = [[Paolo Garbisi|Garbisi]] (3/3) 12', 29', 39'
|pen1 = [[Paolo Garbisi|Garbisi]] (3/3) 12', 29', 39'
Line 520: Line 580:
|con1 = [[Luke Price|Price]] (3/3) 9', 13', 71'
|con1 = [[Luke Price|Price]] (3/3) 9', 13', 71'
|pen1 = [[Luke Price|Price]] (1/1) 56'
|pen1 = [[Luke Price|Price]] (1/1) 56'
|try2 = [[Trevor Davison|Davison]] 33' c<br>[[Try (rugby)#Penalty try|Penalty try]] 38'<br>[[Sean Robinson (rugby union)|Robinson]] 41' c<br>[[George McGuigan|McGuigan]] 64' m<br>[[Philip van der Walt|van der Walt]] 66' c
|try2 = [[Trevor Davison|Davison]] 33' c<br>[[Try (rugby)#Penalty try|Penalty try]] 38'<br>[[Sean Robinson (rugby union, born 1991)|Robinson]] 41' c<br>[[George McGuigan|McGuigan]] 64' m<br>[[Philip van der Walt|van der Walt]] 66' c
|con2 = [[Brett Connon|Connon]] (3/4) 34', 42', 67'
|con2 = [[Brett Connon|Connon]] (3/4) 34', 42', 67'
|stadium = [[Liberty Stadium]]
|stadium = [[Liberty Stadium]]
Line 558: Line 618:
|stadium = [[Welford Road Stadium|Mattioli Woods Welford Road]]
|stadium = [[Welford Road Stadium|Mattioli Woods Welford Road]]
|attendance = 0
|attendance = 0
|referee = Adam Jones ([[Welsh Rugby Union|Wales]]){{efn|Replaces [[Pascal Gaüzère]] who was originally appointed to the fixture but changed to Jones on the 26th March}}
|referee = Adam Jones ([[Welsh Rugby Union|Wales]]){{efn|Replaces [[Pascal Gaüzère]] who was originally appointed to the fixture but changed to Jones on 26 March}}
}}
}}
{{Rugbybox
{{Rugbybox
Line 576: Line 636:
|referee = [[Romain Poite]] ([[French Rugby Federation|France]])
|referee = [[Romain Poite]] ([[French Rugby Federation|France]])
}}
}}

===Quarter-finals===
===Quarter-finals===
{{Rugbybox
{{Rugbybox
Line 693: Line 754:
|date = 21 May 2021
|date = 21 May 2021
|time = 20:00
|time = 20:00
|home = {{nobreak|[[Leicester Tigers]] {{flagicon|ENG}}}}
|home = [[Leicester Tigers]] {{flagicon|ENG}}
|score = 17–18
|score = 17–18
|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/montpellier-edge-out-leicester-tigers-to-claim-second-challenge-cup-title#report Report]
|report =
|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]
|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier Hérault Rugby|Montpellier]]
|try1 = [[Harry Wells (rugby union)|Wells]] 32' c<br/>[[Jasper Wiese|Wiese]] 46' c
|try1 =
|con1 = [[George Ford (rugby union)|Ford]] (2/2) 34', 47'
|con1 =
|pen1 = [[George Ford (rugby union)|Ford]] (1/2) 8'
|pen1 =
|try2 = [[Vincent Rattez|Rattez]] 13' c<br/>[[Johan Goosen|Goosen]] 57' m
|try2 =
|con2 = [[Benoît Paillaugue|Paillaugue]] (1/2) 14'
|con2 =
|pen2 = [[Benoît Paillaugue|Paillaugue]] (2/3) 16', 50'
|pen2 =
|drop2 =
|stadium = [[Twickenham Stadium]]
|stadium = [[Twickenham Stadium]]
|attendance = 10,000{{efn|Capacity limited to 10,000 due to [[The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021|national restrictions]] surrounding the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].}}
|attendance = 10,000{{efn|Capacity limited to 10,000 due to [[The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021|national restrictions]] surrounding the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].}}
|referee = [[Andrew Brace]] ([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])
|referee =
}}
}}

{| width="100%"
|width="50%" valign="top"|
{| cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Freddie Steward]]
|-
|RW ||'''14'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Guy Porter (rugby union)|Guy Porter]] || || {{suboff|19}}
|-
|OC ||'''13'''||{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Matías Moroni]]
|-
|IC ||'''12'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dan Kelly (rugby union)|Dan Kelly]]
|-
|LW ||'''11'''||{{flagicon|FIJ}} [[Nemani Nadolo]] || || {{suboff|68}}
|-
|FH ||'''10'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[George Ford (rugby union)|George Ford]]
|-
|SH ||'''9''' ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Richard Wigglesworth (rugby union)|Richard Wigglesworth]] || || {{suboff|45}}
|-
|N8 ||'''8''' ||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Jasper Wiese]]
|-
|OF ||'''7''' ||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Cyle Brink]] || || {{suboff|29}}
|-
|BF ||'''6''' ||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Hanro Liebenberg]]
|-
|RL ||'''5''' ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Calum Green]] || || {{suboff|77}}
|-
|LL ||'''4''' ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harry Wells (rugby union)|Harry Wells]] || || {{suboff|60}}
|-
|TP ||'''3''' ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dan Cole (rugby union)|Dan Cole]] || || {{suboff|52}}
|-
|HK ||'''2''' ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tom Youngs]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) || || {{suboff|52}}
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ellis Genge]] || || {{suboff|65}}
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Substitutions:'''
|-
|HK ||'''16'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Charlie Clare]] || || {{subon|52}}
|-
|PR ||'''17'''||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Luan de Bruin]] || || {{subon|65}}
|-
|PR ||'''18'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Joe Heyes]] || || {{subon|52}}
|-
|LK ||'''19'''||{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Cameron Henderson]] || || {{subon|77}}
|-
|FL ||'''20'''||{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Tommy Reffell]] || || {{subon|29}}
|-
|SH ||'''21'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ben Youngs]] || || {{subon|45}}
|-
|FH ||'''22'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Zack Henry]] || || {{subon|68}}
|-
|WG ||'''23'''||{{flagicon|FIJ}} [[Kini Murimurivalu]] || || {{subon|19}}
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="3"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Borthwick]]
|}
|valign="top"|
|width="50%" valign="top"|
{| cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 90%" align="center"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Anthony Bouthier]]
|-
|RW ||'''14'''||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Arthur Vincent (rugby union)|Arthur Vincent]] || || {{suboff|43}}
|-
|OC ||'''13'''||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Johan Goosen]]
|-
|IC ||'''12'''||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Jan Serfontein]] || || {{suboff|63}}
|-
|LW ||'''11'''||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Vincent Rattez]]
|-
|FH ||'''10'''||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Alex Lozowski]]
|-
|SH ||'''9''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Benoît Paillaugue]] || || {{suboff|62}}
|-
|N8 ||'''8''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Alexandre Bécognée]] || {{sin bin|29|40}} || {{suboff|52}} || {{subon|55}}
|-
|OF ||'''7''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Yacouba Camara]]
|-
|BF ||'''6''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Fulgence Ouedraogo]] || || {{suboff|25}}
|-
|RL ||'''5''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Paul Willemse]] || || {{suboff|77}}
|-
|LL ||'''4''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Florian Verhaeghe]] || || {{suboff|67}}
|-
|TP ||'''3''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Mohamed Haouas]] || || {{suboff|65}}
|-
|HK ||'''2''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Guilhem Guirado]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) || {{sin bin|44|54}} || || || {{suboff|65}}
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Enzo Forletta]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Substitutions:'''
|-
|HK ||'''16'''||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Bismarck du Plessis]] || || {{subon|52}} || {{suboff|55}} || {{subon|65}}
|-
|PR ||'''17'''||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Robert Rodgers (rugby union)|Robert Rodgers]]
|-
|PR ||'''18'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Titi Lamositele]] || || {{subon|65}}
|-
|LK ||'''19'''||{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Tyler Duguid]] || || {{subon|77}}
|-
|FL ||'''20'''||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Jacques du Plessis]] || || {{subon|25}}
|-
|SH ||'''21'''||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Cobus Reinach]] || || {{subon|62}}
|-
|FH ||'''22'''||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Handré Pollard]] || || {{subon|63}}
|-
|CE ||'''23'''||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Gabriel N'Gandebe]] || || {{subon|43}}
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="3"|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Philippe Saint-André]]
|}
|}


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 730: Line 908:
[[Category:2020–21 in Scottish rugby union|European Rugby Challenge Cup]]
[[Category:2020–21 in Scottish rugby union|European Rugby Challenge Cup]]
[[Category:2020–21 in Welsh rugby union|European Rugby Challenge Cup]]
[[Category:2020–21 in Welsh rugby union|European Rugby Challenge Cup]]
[[Category:European Rugby Challenge Cup seasons]]
[[Category:EPCR Challenge Cup seasons]]
[[Category:Current rugby union seasons|European Rugby Challenge Cup]]

Latest revision as of 21:15, 9 July 2024

2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup
Tournament details
Countries England
 Frankreich
 Irland
 Italien
 Scotland
 Wales
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout
Tournament statistics
Teams14+8
Matches played27
Attendance12,000 (444 per match)
Highest attendance10,000
Final
VenueTwickenham Stadium
Attendance10,000
ChampionsFrankreich Montpellier (2nd title)
Runners-upEngland Leicester Tigers
← 2019–20 (Previous)
(Next) 2021–22 →

The 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup is the seventh edition of the European Rugby Challenge Cup, an annual second-tier rugby union competition for professional clubs. Including the predecessor competition, the original European Challenge Cup, this was the 25th edition of European club rugby's second-tier competition.

The tournament began in December 2020.[1] The final, originally scheduled to be held at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille,[2] took place on 21 May 2021 at Twickenham Stadium.[3]

On 11 January 2021 EPCR announced the competition was suspended temporarily due to new restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] A revised format to finish the tournament was announced on 24 February 2021.[5]

Teams

[edit]

Fourteen teams will qualified for the 2020–21 European Challenge Cup from Premiership Rugby, the Pro14 and the Top 14, as a direct result of their domestic league performance having not qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup. Although, the two South African Pro14 teams are not eligible.[6]

The distribution of teams was:

  • England: four teams
    • Any teams finishing between 9th and 11th position in the Premiership Rugby that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
    • The champion of the RFU Championship
  • France: six teams
    • Any teams finishing between 9th and 14th position in the Top 14 that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
  • Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales: four teams
    • Four teams from the Pro14, excluding the South African teams, that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
Round Premiership Top 14 Pro14
England England Frankreich Frankreich Irland Irland Italien Italien Scotland Scotland Wales Wales
Preliminary stage
Knockout stage

Team details

[edit]

Below is the list of coaches, captain and stadiums with their method of qualification for each team.

Team Coach /
Director of Rugby 		Captain Stadium Capacity Method of qualification
Entering at Preliminary Stage
Frankreich Agen Frankreich Christophe Laussucq
Frankreich Rémi Vaquin 		Frankreich Antoine Erbani Stade Armandie 14,000 Top 14 bottom 6 (13th)
Frankreich Bayonne Frankreich Yannick Bru Frankreich Antoine Battut Stade Jean Dauger 16,934 Top 14 bottom 6 (11th)
Italien Benetton Neuseeland Kieran Crowley Südafrika Dewaldt Duvenage Stadio Comunale di Monigo 6,700 Pro14 Conference B (5th)
Frankreich Brive Irland Jeremy Davidson Algerien Saïd Hireche Stade Amédée-Domenech 13,979 Top 14 bottom 6 (10th)
Wales Cardiff Blues Australien John Mulvihill Wales Ellis Jenkins Cardiff Arms Park 12,125 Pro14 Conference B (6th)
Frankreich Castres Argentinien Mauricio Reggiardo Frankreich Mathieu Babillot Stade Pierre-Fabre 12,500 Top 14 bottom 6 (9th)
England Leicester Tigers England Steve Borthwick England Tom Youngs Welford Road Stadium 25,849 Premiership 9th–11th (11th)
England London Irish Irland Declan Kidney Scotland Blair Cowan
Irland Paddy Jackson
Australien Nick Phipps
England Matt Rogerson 		Brentford Community Stadium 17,250 Premiership 9th–11th (10th)
England Newcastle Falcons England Dean Richards England Mark Wilson Kingston Park 10,200 RFU Championship champions
Wales Ospreys England Toby Booth Wales Justin Tipuric Liberty Stadium 20,827 Pro14 Conference A (7th)
Frankreich Pau Frankreich Nicolas Godignon
Frankreich Frédéric Manca 		Frankreich Quentin Lespiaucq-Brettes Stade du Hameau 18,324 Top 14 bottom 6 (12th)
Frankreich Stade Français Frankreich Laurent Sempéré
Frankreich Julien Arias 		Frankreich Yoann Maestri Stade Jean-Bouin 20,000 Top 14 bottom 6 (14th)
Italien Zebre Irland Michael Bradley Italien Tommaso Castello Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi 5,000 Pro14 Conference A (6th)
England Worcester Warriors Südafrika Alan Solomons England Ted Hill[a] Sixways Stadium 11,499 Premiership 9th–11th (9th)
Entering at Knockout Stage (transferred from Champions Cup)
England Bath England Stuart Hooper England Charlie Ewels The Recreation Ground 14,509 Champions Cup Pool A 9th–12th (10th)
Irland Connacht Australien Andy Friend Australien Jarrad Butler Galway Sportsgrounds 8,129 Champions Cup Pool B 9th–12th (10th)
Wales Dragons England Dean Ryan Wales Rhodri Williams Rodney Parade 8,700 Champions Cup Pool A 9th–12th (12th)
Scotland Glasgow Warriors England Danny Wilson Scotland Fraser Brown
Scotland Ryan Wilson 		Scotstoun Stadium 7,351 Champions Cup Pool B 9th–12th (12th)
England Harlequins Australien Billy Millard Südafrika Stephan Lewies Twickenham Stoop 14,800 Champions Cup Pool B 9th–12th (11th)
Frankreich Montpellier Frankreich Xavier Garbajosa Frankreich Fulgence Ouedraogo Altrad Stadium 15,697 Champions Cup Pool A 9th–12th (11th)
England Northampton Saints Neuseeland Chris Boyd England Lewis Ludlam
England Alex Waller 		Franklin's Gardens 15,200 Champions Cup Pool A 9th–12th (9th)
Irland Ulster England Dan McFarland Irland Iain Henderson Ravenhill Stadium 18,196 Champions Cup Pool B 9th–12th (9th)

Preliminary stage

[edit]
[[File:
class=notpageimage|
Standorte
|1300px|alt=Locations of teams of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Red: Competed in pool stage; Green: Entered from Champions Cup.]]
[[:File:
class=notpageimage|
Standorte
| ]]
Locations of teams of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Red: Competed in pool stage; Green: Entered from Champions Cup.
Main article: 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup preliminary stage

Teams were placed into one of the two tiers, with the higher ranked clubs being put in Tier 1. The nature of the tier system meant that no draw was needed this year. Brackets show each team's ranking and their league. e.g. 9 Top 14 indicates the team was the ninth placed team from the Top 14.

Tier 1 Frankreich Bayonne (11 Top 14) Italien Benetton (9 Pro14) Frankreich Brive (10 Top 14) Wales Cardiff Blues (10 Pro14) Frankreich Castres (9 Top 14) England London Irish (10 Prem) England Worcester Warriors (9 Prem)
Tier 2 Frankreich Agen (13 Top 14) England Leicester Tigers (11 Prem) England Newcastle Falcons (12 Prem) Wales Ospreys (12 Pro14) Frankreich Pau (12 Top 14) Frankreich Stade Français (14 Top 14) Italien Zebre (11 Top 14)

The preliminary stage would consist of a single pool of 14 teams. No team would play a team in the same tier and no club would play another club from the same league. Each team was scheduled to play four matches with the top eight teams advancing to the knockout stage. The top eight teams were due to be joined in the round of 16 by the teams finishing between 5th and 8th in each pool of the 2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup pool stage.

The revised format announced in February 2021 would see the top 8 teams after 2 pool games advance to the round of 16 along with the eight teams placed between 9th and 12th in each pool of the Champions Cup.[5]

Key to colours
     Top 8, advance to round of 16
     Eliminated from tournament
Team P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
England London Irish 2 2 0 0 60 25 +35 9 3 2 0 10
Wales Ospreys 2 2 0 0 77 44 +33 9 6 2 0 10
Wales Cardiff Blues 2 2 0 0 61 20 +41 7 2 1 0 9
England Leicester Tigers 2 2 0 0 67 37 +30 7 3 1 0 9
Italien Zebre 2 1 1 0 43 41 +2 5 4 0 0 6
Frankreich Agen 2 1 0 1 36 34 +2 5 5 1 0 5
Italien Benetton 2 1 0 1 44 48 −4 7 7 1 0 5
England Newcastle Falcons 2 1 0 1 46 50 −4 5 6 0 0 4
Frankreich Pau 2 1 0 1 41 46 −5 5 6 0 0 4
Frankreich Bayonne 2 0 1 1 45 53 −8 5 6 0 0 2
England Worcester Warriors 2 0 0 2 49 62 −13 6 7 1 1 2
Frankreich Brive 2 0 0 2 33 57 −24 2 6 0 1 1
Frankreich Castres 2 0 0 2 32 65 −33 5 8 0 0 0
Frankreich Stade Français 2 0 0 2 20 72 −52 3 11 0 0 0

Last 16 rankings

[edit]
Key to colours
     Top 8 in Challenge Cup      Champions Cup 17th-24th
Team P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
England London Irish 2 2 0 0 60 25 +35 9 3 2 0 10
Wales Ospreys 2 2 0 0 77 44 +33 9 6 2 0 10
Wales Cardiff Blues 2 2 0 0 61 20 +41 7 2 1 0 9
England Leicester Tigers 2 2 0 0 67 37 +30 7 3 1 0 9
Italien Zebre 2 1 1 0 43 41 +2 5 4 0 0 6
Frankreich Agen 2 1 0 1 36 34 +2 5 5 1 0 5
Italien Benetton 2 1 0 1 44 48 −4 7 7 1 0 5
England Newcastle Falcons 2 1 0 1 46 50 −4 5 6 0 0 4
Irland Ulster 2 0 0 2 56 67 −11 7 9 1 2 3
Irland Connacht 2 0 0 2 40 53 −13 5 8 0 1 1
England Northampton Saints 2 0 0 2 31 51 −20 3 5 0 1 1
England Bath 2 0 0 2 19 51 −32 2 6 0 1 1
Frankreich Montpellier 2 0 0 2 28 68 −40 3 10 0 0 0
Wales Dragons 2 0 0 2 16 71 −55 2 11 0 0 0
England Harlequins 2 0 0 2 14 70 −56 2 9 0 0 0
Scotland Glasgow Warriors 2 0 0 2 0 70 −70 0 10 0 0 0

Knockout stage

[edit]

The knockout stage commenced with a round of 16 consisting of the top 8 ranked teams from the preliminary stage and the teams placed between 9th and 12th in each Champions Cup pool. Due to the truncation of the preliminary stage, a draw was used to determine matches in both round of 16 and quarter-finals but no team would face a team from the same league in the round of 16. Teams which won both their matches and were not awarded points due to COVID cancellations would be guaranteed home advantage. Therefore, Leicester Tigers, London Irish and Ospreys received home advantage.[5]

The draw for the round of 16 and quarter-finals took place on 9 March 2021 in Lausanne, Switzerland.[7]

Bracket

[edit]
Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
        
England Leicester Tigers 48
Irland Connacht 32
England Leicester Tigers 39
England Newcastle Falcons 15
Wales Ospreys 24
England Newcastle Falcons 28
England Leicester Tigers 33
Irland Ulster 24
Wales Dragons 39
England Northampton Saints 43
England Northampton Saints 27
Irland Ulster 35
England Harlequins 21
Irland Ulster 57
England Leicester Tigers 17
Frankreich Montpellier 18
Italien Zebre 27
England Bath 35
England Bath 26
England London Irish 13
England London Irish 41
Wales Cardiff Blues 35
England Bath 10
Frankreich Montpellier 19
Frankreich Montpellier 26
Scotland Glasgow Warriors 21
Frankreich Montpellier 31
Italien Benetton 25
Italien Benetton 29
Frankreich Agen 16

Round of 16

[edit]

Fixtures were announced on 16 March 2021.[8]

2 April 2021
16:00 CET
Zebre Italien27–35England Bath
Try: Bruno 2' c, 9' c, 22' c
Con: Canna (3/3) 3', 10', 23'
Pen: Pescetto (2/3) 67', 71'		BerichtTry: Cokanasiga 14' c
Stuart 40' c
Obano 45' c
Watson 61' c
du Toit 78' c
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 0
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
2 April 2021
17:30 BST
London Irish England41–35Wales Cardiff Blues
Try: Loader 30' c
Hassell-Collins (2) 49' c, 74' c
Hepetema 71' c
Rona 79' c
Con: Jackson (5/5) 31', 49', 72', 76', 80'
Pen: Jackson (2/3) 13', 39'		BerichtTry: Dacey 16' c
Adams 20' c
Harries 57' m
L. Williams 64' c
Con: Evans (3/4) 17', 20', 65'
Pen: Evans (2/3) 27', 46'
Drop: Evans 77'
Brentford Community Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
2 April 2021
21:00 CET
Montpellier Frankreich26–21Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Try: Guirado 38' c
Bouthier 43' c
Con: Lozowski (2/2) 40', 44'
Pen: Lozowski (4/6) 14', 24', 58', 71'		BerichtPen: Hastings (5/5) 1', 16', 27', 55', 62'
Thompson (2/2) 70', 73'
GGL Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
3 April 2021
16:00 CET
Benetton Italien29–16Frankreich Agen
Try: Duvenage 20' m
Ioane 45' m
Brex 62' m
Padovani 73' m
Pen: Garbisi (3/3) 12', 29', 39'		BerichtTry: Hayes 1' c
Con: Verdu (1/1) 2'
Pen: Verdu (3/3) 18', 50', 55'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 0
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
3 April 2021
15:00 BST
Ospreys Wales24–28England Newcastle Falcons
Try: K. Williams 8' c
D. Evans 12' c
Botha 70' c
Con: Price (3/3) 9', 13', 71'
Pen: Price (1/1) 56'		BerichtTry: Davison 33' c
Penalty try 38'
Robinson 41' c
McGuigan 64' m
van der Walt 66' c
Con: Connon (3/4) 34', 42', 67'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
3 April 2021
17:30 BST
Dragons Wales39–43England Northampton Saints
Try: Hewitt (2) 11' c, 33' m
Screech 26' c
S. Davies 50' c
Brown 60' c
Con: S. Davies (4/5) 12', 26', 51', 60'
Pen: S. Davies (2/2) 6', 43'		BerichtTry: Naiyaravoro (2) 36' c, 73' c
Sleightholme 41' c
Mitchell 54' c
Harrison 62' m
Collins 74' c
Con: Grayson (5/6) 37', 41, 55', 73' 75'
Pen: Grayson (1/1) 24'
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 0
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
3 April 2021
20:00 BST
Leicester Tigers England48–32Irland Connacht
Try: Clare (2) 11' m, 65' c
Porter 14' c
Moroni 27' m
Henry 31' c
Wells 73' c
Wiese 78' c
Con: Henry (2/4) 15', 32'
McPhillips (3/3) 66', 74', 79'
Pen: McPhillips (1/1) 57'		BerichtTry: Marmion 6' m
E. Masterson 43' c
Wootton 56' c
Boyle 71' c
Con: Carty (2/3) 44', 59'
C. Fitzgerald (1/1) 71'
Pen: Carty (2/3) 23', 40+5'
Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Attendance: 0
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)[b]
4 April 2021
20:00 BST
Harlequins England21–57Irland Ulster
Try: Lawday 31' c
Kenningham 64' c
Els 77' c
Con: Herron (3/3) 32', 64', 78'		BerichtTry: McCloskey 7' c
Herring (2) 21' c, 55' c
Reidy (2) 26' c, 69' c
Lowry 33' m
Burns 59' c
Mathewson 65' c
Con: Cooney (5/6) 8', 23', 27', 57', 60'
Madigan (2/2) 66', 70'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 12'
Twickenham Stoop
Attendance: 0
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Quarter-finals

[edit]
9 April 2021
20:00 BST
Bath England26–13England London Irish
Try: McNally 8' c
Stuart (2) 23' c, 31' m
Mercer 67' c
Con: Spencer (3/4) 9', 24', 68'		BerichtTry: Creevy 5' c
Con: Jackson (1/1) 6'
Pen: Jackson (2/2) 40', 63'
Recreation Ground
Attendance: 0
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
10 April 2021
12:30 BST
Leicester Tigers England39–15England Newcastle Falcons
Try: Potter (2) 4' m, 80' c
Penalty try (2) 13', 75'
Moroni 46' c
Con: McPhillips (1/2) 47'
Ford (1/1) 80+1'
Pen: McPhillips (1/1) 17'
Ford (1/1) 56'		BerichtTry: Wacokecoke 32' m
Penny 48' c
Con: Connon (1/2) 50'
Pen: Connon (1/1) 9'
Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Attendance: 0
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
10 April 2021
20:00 BST
Northampton Saints England27–35Irland Ulster
Try: Mitchell 4' c
Freeman (2) 32' m, 34' c
Sleightholme 58' m
Con: Francis (2/4) 6', 35'
Pen: Francis (1/1) 16'		BerichtTry: Penalty try 11'
Herring 24' c
M. Moore 46' c
Cooney 61' c
Stockdale 72' c
Con: Cooney (4/4) 25', 47', 62', 73'
Franklin's Gardens
Attendance: 0
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
10 April 2021
21:00 CET
Montpellier Frankreich31–25Italien Benetton
Try: Paillaugue (2) 11' m, 54' c
Willemse 36' c
Con: Paillaugue (2/3) 37', 55'
Pen: Paillaugue (3/3) 4', 29', 60'
Drop: Bouthier 24'		BerichtTry: Garbisi 45' c
Con: Garbisi (1/1) 46'
Pen: Garbisi (5/6) 1', 6', 14', 27', 31'
Allan (1/1) 65'
GGL Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)

Semi-finals

[edit]

The draw for the semi-finals took place on 11 April 2021 at BT Sport's studios in London.[2]

30 April 2021
20:00 BST
Leicester Tigers England33–24Irland Ulster
Try: Wiese 44' c
Genge 52' c
Porter 73' c
Con: Ford (3/3) 44', 54', 75'
Pen: Ford (3/4) 6', 19', 49'
Drop: Ford 58'		BerichtTry: Henderson 15' c
Burns 21' c
Timoney 67' c
Con: Cooney (2/2) 16', 22'
Lowry (1/1) 68'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 9'
Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Attendance: 0
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
1 May 2021
20:00 BST
Bath England10–19Frankreich Montpellier
Try: Dunn 2' c
Con: B. Spencer (1/1) 3'
Pen: B. Spencer (1/2) 26'		BerichtTry: Camara 22' c
Con: Paillaugue (1/1) 23'
Pen: Paillaugue (3/5) 19', 31', 36'
Pollard (1/1) 79'
Recreation Ground
Attendance: 0
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

Final

[edit]
21 May 2021
20:00
Leicester Tigers England17–18Frankreich Montpellier
Try: Wells 32' c
Wiese 46' c
Con: Ford (2/2) 34', 47'
Pen: Ford (1/2) 8'		BerichtTry: Rattez 13' c
Goosen 57' m
Con: Paillaugue (1/2) 14'
Pen: Paillaugue (2/3) 16', 50'
Twickenham Stadium
Attendance: 10,000[c]
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
FB 15 England Freddie Steward
RW 14 England Guy Porter downward-facing red arrow 19'
OC 13 Argentinien Matías Moroni
IC 12 England Dan Kelly
LW 11 Fidschi Nemani Nadolo downward-facing red arrow 68'
FH 10 England George Ford
SH 9 England Richard Wigglesworth downward-facing red arrow 45'
N8 8 Südafrika Jasper Wiese
OF 7 Südafrika Cyle Brink downward-facing red arrow 29'
BF 6 Südafrika Hanro Liebenberg
RL 5 England Calum Green downward-facing red arrow 77'
LL 4 England Harry Wells downward-facing red arrow 60'
TP 3 England Dan Cole downward-facing red arrow 52'
HK 2 England Tom Youngs (c) downward-facing red arrow 52'
LP 1 England Ellis Genge downward-facing red arrow 65'
Substitutions:
HK 16 England Charlie Clare upward-facing green arrow 52'
PR 17 Südafrika Luan de Bruin upward-facing green arrow 65'
PR 18 England Joe Heyes upward-facing green arrow 52'
LK 19 Scotland Cameron Henderson upward-facing green arrow 77'
FL 20 Wales Tommy Reffell upward-facing green arrow 29'
SH 21 England Ben Youngs upward-facing green arrow 45'
FH 22 England Zack Henry upward-facing green arrow 68'
WG 23 Fidschi Kini Murimurivalu upward-facing green arrow 19'
Coach:
England Steve Borthwick
FB 15 Frankreich Anthony Bouthier
RW 14 Frankreich Arthur Vincent downward-facing red arrow 43'
OC 13 Südafrika Johan Goosen
IC 12 Südafrika Jan Serfontein downward-facing red arrow 63'
LW 11 Frankreich Vincent Rattez
FH 10 England Alex Lozowski
SH 9 Frankreich Benoît Paillaugue downward-facing red arrow 62'
N8 8 Frankreich Alexandre Bécognée yellow card 29' to 40' downward-facing red arrow 52' upward-facing green arrow 55'
OF 7 Frankreich Yacouba Camara
BF 6 Frankreich Fulgence Ouedraogo downward-facing red arrow 25'
RL 5 Frankreich Paul Willemse downward-facing red arrow 77'
LL 4 Frankreich Florian Verhaeghe downward-facing red arrow 67'
TP 3 Frankreich Mohamed Haouas downward-facing red arrow 65'
HK 2 Frankreich Guilhem Guirado (c) yellow card 44' to 54' downward-facing red arrow 65'
LP 1 Frankreich Enzo Forletta
Substitutions:
HK 16 Südafrika Bismarck du Plessis upward-facing green arrow 52' downward-facing red arrow 55' upward-facing green arrow 65'
PR 17 Südafrika Robert Rodgers
PR 18 Vereinigte Staaten Titi Lamositele upward-facing green arrow 65'
LK 19 Kanada Tyler Duguid upward-facing green arrow 77'
FL 20 Südafrika Jacques du Plessis upward-facing green arrow 25'
SH 21 Südafrika Cobus Reinach upward-facing green arrow 62'
FH 22 Südafrika Handré Pollard upward-facing green arrow 63'
CE 23 Frankreich Gabriel N'Gandebe upward-facing green arrow 43'
Coach:
Frankreich Philippe Saint-André

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Hill was named as Worcester's club captain in July 2020, with Matt Moulds serving as team captain.
  2. ^ Replaces Pascal Gaüzère who was originally appointed to the fixture but changed to Jones on 26 March
  3. ^ Capacity limited to 10,000 due to national restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "New EPCR dates for 2019/20 announced". European Professional Club Rugby. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b "EPCR statement – 2021 Marseille finals and semi-final matches". European Professional Club Rugby. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Twickenham Stadium to host 2021 EPCR finals". European Professional Club Rugby. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  4. ^ "EPCR tournaments temporarily suspended". European Professional Club Rugby. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Revised EPCR tournament formats for 2020/21 season announced". European Professional Club Rugby. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  6. ^ "New EPCR tournament formats agreed for 2020/21 season". European Professional Club Rugby. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  7. ^ "All you need to know about the European Rugby Challenge Cup knockout stage draws". European Professional Club Rugby. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture dates announced". European Professional Club Rugby. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
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