2012–13 European Challenge Cup
The 2012–13 Amlin Challenge Cup was the 17th season of the European Challenge Cup, Europe's second-tier club rugby union competition. A total of 23 teams participated — 20 in the pool stage, plus three teams parachuting into the knockout stages from the Heineken Cup. The original 20 teams represented six countries.
| 2012–13 Amlin Challenge Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Countries |  England France Ireland Italy Romania Spain Wales |
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and knockout |
| Date | 11 October 2012 to 17 May 2013 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Teams | 23 |
| Matches played | 67 |
| Attendance | 355,554 (5,307 per match) |
| Tries scored | 438 (6.54 per match) |
| Top point scorer(s) | Freddie Burns (Gloucester) (86 points)[1] |
| Top try scorer(s) | Horacio Agulla (Bath) Francis Fainifo (Stade Français) Adrien Planté (Perpignan) Andy Short (Worcester) (6 tries)[2] |
| Final | |
| Venue | RDS Arena |
| Attendance | 20,396 |
| Champions | Leinster (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Stade Français |
The pool stage began in Mont-de-Marsan on 11 October 2012, with Stade Montois hosting Gloucester. It ended on 19 January 2013 when Stade Français hosted competition newcomers London Welsh,[3] followed by the knockout stages culminating in the final at the RDS Arena in Dublin on 17 May 2013.[4]
The defending Challenge Cup champions, France's Biarritz Olympique, did not initially have a chance to defend their crown because they earned an automatic berth in the Heineken Cup. However, having finish 2nd in their pool, and failing to reach the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup, they were one of three teams parachuted into the Challenge Cup knockout stages. They were knocked out of the competition by Leinster at the semi-final stage. Leinster went on to win the competition, defeating Stade Français 34–13 in the final.[5][6][7]
Teams
Gernika Rugby Taldea represented Spain despite finishing just 5th in the División de Honor. Valladolid won the División de Honor, and the championship playoff, but turned down the opportunity to play in the Challenge Cup due to economic factors.[8] As runners up in the championship playoff, Gernika qualified in their place.
| England | France | Italy | Romania | Spain | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seeding
Teams that did not qualify for the 2012–13 Heineken Cup were ordered into four tiers according to the European Rugby Club Ranking. Five pools of four teams were drawn comprising one team from each tier.
The brackets show each team's European Rugby Club Ranking at the end of the 2011–12 season.
| Tier 1 | Stade Français (10) |
London Wasps (15) |
Perpignan (16) |
Bath (17) |
Gloucester (22) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2 | London Irish (23) |
Newport Gwent Dragons (31) |
London Welsh[9] |
Worcester Warriors (35) |
Calvisano (39) |
| Tier 3 | Bayonne (40) |
Rovigo (41) |
Agen (42) |
Cavalieri Prato (43) |
Bordeaux-Bègles (44) |
| Tier 4 | Mont de Marsan (45) |
Grenoble (46) |
Mogliano (47) |
București Wolves |
Gernika |
Pool stage
Key to colours Winner of each pool advances to quarterfinals.
Seed # in parentheses.
Points breakdown:
- 4 points for a win
- 2 points for a draw
- 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match (TB)
- 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less (LB)
Source: www.ercrugby.com Archived 2014-02-03 at the Wayback Machine
Pool 1
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucester (2) |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 179 | 86 | +93 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
| London Irish |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 174 | 139 | +35 | 24 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| Mont-de-Marsan |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 100 | 156 | −56 | 9 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| Bordeaux-Bègles |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 82 | 154 | −72 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Pool 2
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perpignan (3) |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 293 | 89 | +204 | 42 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| Worcester Warriors |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 354 | 78 | +276 | 51 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| Gernika |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 80 | 309 | −229 | 6 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Rovigo |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 67 | 318 | −251 | 6 | 46 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
- Per the Competition Rules,[10] Perpignan and Worcester were level on the first tiebreaker of head-to-head competition points (5–5); Perpignan topped the pool on the second tiebreaker of head-to-head try count (3–1).
Pool 3
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Wasps (4) |
6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 231 | 92 | +139 | 30 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| Bayonne |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 201 | 91 | +110 | 25 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 171 | 108 | +63 | 19 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
| Mogliano |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 29 | 341 | −312 | 4 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pool 4
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bath (1) |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 245 | 79 | +166 | 36 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 29 |
| Agen |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 154 | 120 | +34 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| București Wolves |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 121 | 215 | −94 | 14 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Calvisano |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 117 | 223 | −106 | 13 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
Pool 5
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stade Français (8) |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 210 | 105 | +105 | 25 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| Grenoble |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 173 | 81 | +92 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 20 |
| London Welsh |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 171 | 170 | +1 | 20 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| Cavalieri Prato |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 68 | 266 | −198 | 8 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Seeding for knockout stage
Following the end of the pool stage, the 5 pool winners were seeded alongside the 3 2012–13 Heineken Cup pool runners-up who failed to qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals – designated (HC). Teams are ranked by total number of Competition Points earned (4 for a win, 2 for a draw, etc.) in the pool stages. If this does not separate the teams, qualification/ranking will be based on:
- (a) the number of tries scored in all Pool matches.
- (b) aggregate points difference from all Pool matches.
- (c) the Club with the fewest players sent off and / or suspended in all Pool matches.
- (d) toss of a coin.[10]
| Seed | Team | Pts | TF | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bath | 29 | 36 | +166 |
| 2 | Gloucester | 27 | 19 | +93 |
| 3 | Perpignan | 25 | 42 | +204 |
| 4 | London Wasps | 25 | 30 | +139 |
| 5 (HC) | Leinster | 20 | 12 | +28 |
| 6 (HC) | Toulouse | 19 | 15 | +48 |
| 7 (HC) | Biarritz | 15 | 14 | +22 |
| 8 | Stade Français | 25 | 25 | +105 |
Knockout stage
All kickoff times are local to the match location.
Quarter-finals
| 4 April 2013 20:00 |
| Gloucester | 31–41 | Biarritz |
| Try: Tindall 13' m Monahan 78' c Edmonds 80' c Con: F. Burns (2/3) Pen: F. Burns (4/5) 10', 26', 34', 47' | Report[13] | Try: Thomas (2) 22' c, 31' c Héguy 36' c Baby 56' c Burotu 73' c Con: Yachvili (5/5) Pen: Yachvili (1/3) 18' Drop: Traille (1/1) 11' |
| Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester Attendance: 10,273 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland) |
| 5 April 2013 20:00 |
| London Wasps | 28–48 | Leinster |
| Try: Wade (2) 1' m, 14' c Varndell (2) 65' m, 70' m Con: Robinson (1/4) Pen: Robinson (2/3) 35', 48' | Report[14] | Try: D'Arcy 5' c Madigan 22' c Ross 45' c R. Kearney 59' m Nacewa 67' c Con: Madigan (4/5) Pen: Madigan (5/6) 26', 38', 44', 52', 76' |
| Adams Park, High Wycombe Attendance: 9,654 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France) |
| 5 April 2013 21:00 |
| Perpignan | 30–19 | Toulouse |
| Try: Taofifenua 6' c Sid 37' c Vahaamahina 46' c Con: Hook (3/3) Pen: Hook (3/3) 1', 71', 75' | Report[15] | Try: Maka 58' c Con: Beauxis (1/1) Pen: Beauxis (4/5) 10', 19', 22', 24' |
| Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan Attendance: 12,452 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland) |
| 6 April 2013 13:00 |
| Bath | 20–36 | Stade Français |
| Try: penalty try 46' c Claassens 65' m Cuthbert 77' m Con: Donald (1/1) Pen: Donald (1/1) 25' | Report[16] | Try: Vuidravuwalu (2) 19' c, 29' c Bonneval (2) 57' m, 59' m Con: Fillol (2/2) Pen: Plisson (1/1) 15' Fillol (1/2) 23' Porical (1/1) 80' Drop: Plisson (1/2) 69' |
| Recreation Ground, Bath Attendance: 11,155 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
Semi-finals
| 26 April 2013 21:00 |
| Perpignan | 22–25 | Stade Français |
| Try: Guirado 10' m Hook 22' m Pen: Hook (4/5) 29', 43', 47', 66' | Report[17] | Try: Lyons 44' c Con: Porical (1/1) Pen: Porical (6/7) 8', 26', 35', 52', 73', 76' |
| Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan Attendance: 12,242 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland) |
| 27 April 2013 14:30 |
| Leinster | 44–16 | Biarritz |
| Try: Heaslip (2) 3' c, 40' c J. Sexton 38' c Nacewa 49' c O'Driscoll 63' c Con: J. Sexton (3/3) Madigan (2/2) Pen: J. Sexton (2/2) 27', 45' Madigan (1/1) 55' | Report[18] | Try: Héguy 67' c Con: Yachvili (1/1) Pen: Yachvili (3/3) 18', 23', 36' |
| RDS Arena, Dublin Attendance: 18,500 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
Final
| 17 May 2013[4] 20:00 IST |
| Leinster | 34–13 | Stade Français |
| Try: Madigan 2' c Cronin 19' c R. Kearney 27' c Healy 78' c Con: J. Sexton (4/4) Pen: J. Sexton (2/2) 53', 62' | Report[19] | Try: Sinzelle 65' c Con: Plisson (1/1) Pen: Porical (2/2) 25', 40' |
| RDS Arena, Dublin Attendance: 20,396 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
- Under European Rugby Cup rules, the winner of the Challenge Cup was automatically entered into the following season's Heineken Cup. If the Challenge Cup winner had already domestically qualified, the Cup winner's berth passed to another team from its country. As Leinster qualified for the 2013–14 Heineken Cup through their performance in the Pro 12, Connacht qualified for the Heineken Cup.
See also
References
- "Amlin Challenge Cup: Points Scorers". Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- "Amlin Challenge Cup: Try Scorers". Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- "London Welsh begin campaign with glamour tie". European Rugby Cup. 31 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- "2012/13 Heineken Cup Pool Draw" (Press release). European Rugby Cup. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
- "Leinster 34-13 Stade Francais". BBC Sport. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- "Leinster's Jonathan Sexton tames Stade Français to secure Amlin Cup". Guardian. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- "Ruthless Leinster win Challenge Cup". ESPN. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- "El VRAC Quesos Entrepinares no disputará la Amlin Challenge Cup". Valladolid RAC. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
These are difficult times. The poor economic situation greatly complicates find sponsors who will assist the VRAC Cheese Entrepinares again leave their mark in Europe ten years after the last time you did.
- London Welsh will directly replace Newcastle Falcons. "London Welsh confirmed for Amlin Challenge Cup". European Rugby Cup. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- "Rules". European Rugby Cup. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
- "Amlin Challenge Cup Fixtures". European Rugby Cup. 15 December 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
- "London Welsh get Amlin Challenge Cup points boost". BBC. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
- "Home". www.ercrugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Home". www.ercrugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Home". www.ercrugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Home". www.ercrugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Home". www.ercrugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Home". www.ercrugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Home". www.ercrugby.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2017.