Forecasts for European Challenge Cup Round 1 Matches
Taking A Leap: Sharks, Lions, and Cheetahs Face Fresh Challenges
The Sharks are setting sail in uncharted waters while the Lions and Cheetahs prepare to reignite their European Challenge Cup conquest this weekend. Let's dive in and see who's beasting (roughly based on the source article).
More than two dozen clubs embark on the Challenge Cup adventure, with eight teams hailing from the United Rugby Championship, six from the TOP 14, two from the Premiership, and two wildcard entrants: the Cheetahs and Georgia's Black Lion.
Teams will be scattered across three pools of six, ensuring that URC Shield members, Premiership rivals, and invitees keep their distance. Each club plays four different opponents in a home-or-away format, minimizing same-league matches and impacting only URC clubs.
The top four teams from each pool advance to the knockout stage, where they'll be joined by the fifth-place finishers in the Champions Cup groups.
The Sharks make their debut at home against Pau, while the Cheetahs and Lions hit the road to Zebre and Perpignan respectively.
Friday, 8 December - 22:00
Clermont v Edinburgh
The Challenge Cup has proved prosperous for Clermont. Having reached four finals, nabbing three titles, and losing the other to Harlequins by a single point in the final minute in 2004. Despite falling short of Champions Cup qualification in the penultimate day of last season's TOP 14, they're gunning for a historic fourth Challenge Cup title. Currently eighth in the TOP 14, they exhibited their prowess by besting league leaders Racing 92 23-18 the previous weekend.
Although this is a tricky opening encounter for them, Edinburgh's solid form following a 27-24 road win against Ulster must be reckoned with. Still, Stade Marcel Michelin's fearsome reputation should provide home ground advantage, giving Clermont a slight edge.
Prediction: Clermont by 8.
Saturday, 9 December - 14:00
Black Lion v Gloucester
Black Lion charts uncharted territory by becoming the first Georgian club to compete in a main EPCR tournament. These newcomers are an enigma, and it remains to be seen how they'll stack up against established opponents. Expect a tough nut to crack indeed!
Gloucester, two-time champions and two-time runners-up of the Challenge Cup, have returned to the competition after bowing out in the Champions Cup Round of 16 last season. With Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit in their ranks, the English club is poised for a commanding performance against the underdogs.
Prediction: Gloucester by 15.
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Insight: The 2023-24 European Rugby Challenge Cup spans over eight weekends of pool play followed by a knockout stage. The competition involves more than two dozen clubs from several European domestic leagues, with the top four teams in each pool advancing to the playoffs.
This year will mark the first European Challenge Cup appearance for the Cheetahs and Georgia's Black Lion. Historically, Clermont has found success in the Challenge Cup, up to three titles and reaching four finals.
The European Challenge Cup, starting this weekend, includes rugby matches for clubs like Clermont, who have previously achieved success with three titles and four final appearances in the tournament. This year sees the introduction of newcomers, such as Georgia's Black Lion, making their debut in a main EPCR tournament.
Betting enthusiasts will find a variety of sports to wager on, including the Challenge Cup, where teams will compete for the title over eight weekends of pool play, followed by a knockout stage. Among the teams to watch are Clermont, who could claim a historic fourth Challenge Cup title, and the mysterious underdogs, Black Lion, in their quest to prove their mettle in the competition's tough environment.
