CHALLENGE CUP MESSAGE

EPCR CHAIRMAN WELCOME MESSAGE

Last weekend, we were treated to high-class rugby across the continent as the European Rugby Challenge Cup returned with some brilliant attacking play, high drama, thrilling comebacks and plenty of compelling contests.

The points tally started to rack up once Zebre Rugby Club stormed into the lead against former tournament winners and 1998 European champions Bath Rugby on Friday, before a thrilling turnaround to give them one of five berths in these quarter-finals for clubs from the Gallagher Premiership.

There would be two sizeable swings in fortune in Anglo-Welsh matches too, as London Irish and Northampton Saints prevailed over Cardiff Blues and Dragons respectively in high-scoring contests.

The Round of 16 was certainly unpredictable with four away wins from eight matches in the Challenge Cup, where a total of 522 points were scored at an average of over 65 per match during the weekend.

We are all set for plenty more entertainment this weekend, which also hails a landmark for the club game in Italy as Benetton Rugby become its first representatives in a European quarter-final. Having already won in France against 2017 winners Stade Français Paris during the Preliminary Stage, their win over Agen brings them to a last-eight date with Montpellier, who lifted this trophy back in 2016.

The draws for the final four of both European club rugby tournaments will take place live on BT Sport this Sunday (April 11) and ordinarily, the combatants would be eyeing up spots in Marseille for Finals Weekend on May 21-22. Only these are not ordinary times. We deeply regret the need to postpone the Stade Vélodrome showpiece for the second consecutive season and the inconvenience that it has caused to many fans who had snapped up tickets in anticipation of an event to savour.

As with each of its matches and events, EPCR operates to the numerous different local authority directives and guidelines - as well as its own robust Covid-19 protocols. The health and safety of all concerned is our obvious priority and in doing all we can to ensure that, we are grateful to the shareholder leagues and unions for their support.

Speaking of support: we cannot wait to welcome fans back to stadiums across the continent! Whilst that has not been possible, the importance of high-quality television coverage is illustrated in much higher definition. Easter weekend saw another enormous undertaking from our domestic broadcast partners BT Sport, beIN SPORTS, France Télévisions and Sky Italia, as well as a host of linear, OTT and streaming solutions worldwide.

As well as sharing the journey with them, we also appreciate the backing of official partners Tissot, the Financial Times, Gilbert and Kappa.

Yours in Rugby,

Simon Halliday,

Chairman, EPCR

FLOOR: EVERSCAPE INARA CONCRETE