2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup

The 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup was the 9th edition of the EPCR Challenge Cup, an annual second-tier rugby union competition for professional clubs. Including the predecessor competition, the original European Challenge Cup, this is the 27th edition of European club rugby's second-tier competition.

2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup
The EPCR Challenge Cup
Tournament details
Countries England
 France
 Ireland
 Italy
 Scotland
 South Africa
 Wales
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout
Date9 December 2022 – 19 May 2023
Tournament statistics
Teams18
Matches played51
Attendance314,320 (6,163 per match)
Highest attendance31,514 - Glasgow Warriors v Toulon
19 May 2023
Lowest attendance200 - Cheetahs v Scarlets
17 December 2022
200 - Cheetahs v Pau
22 January 2023[lower-alpha 1]
Tries scored329 (6.45 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Wales Sam Costelow (Scarlets)
62 points
Top try scorer(s)Scotland Johnny Matthews (Glasgow Warriors)
Fiji Jiuta Wainiqolo (Toulon)
7 tries
Final
VenueAviva Stadium, Dublin
ChampionsFrance Toulon (1st title)
Runners-upScotland Glasgow Warriors

The tournament commenced in December 2022, and concluded with the final on 19 May 2023 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, which was contested between Glasgow Warriors (their first European final) and Toulon who made their fourth appearance in a European final.

This was the first year that teams from South Africa could qualify, following the inaugural United Rugby Championship season, with Johannesburg-based Lions making their inaugural appearance in European club rugby.[1] In addition, another South African team, the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs franchise, formerly of the URC predecessor competition the Pro14, had been invited to enter, having been excluded from European competition during their Pro14 tenure.[2]

Teams

Seventeen teams qualified for the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup from Premiership Rugby, the Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship as a direct result of their domestic league performance having not qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup. Plus one invited sides making 18 teams.

The distribution of teams were:

Round Premiership Top 14 United Rugby Championship Invited
England England France France Ireland Ireland Italy Italy Scotland Scotland Wales Wales South Africa South Africa
Pool stage

Team details
Team Coach /
Director of Rugby		 Captain Stadium Capacity Method of qualification
Entering at Pool stage
England Bath South Africa Johann van Graan England Ben Spencer Recreation Ground [lower-alpha 2] 14,509 Premiership 9th–13th (13th)
France Bayonne France Grégory Patat France Antoine Battut Stade Jean-Dauger 18,069 Pro D2 Champions
Italy Benetton Italy Marco Bortolami South Africa Dewaldt Duvenage
Italy Michele Lamaro		 Stadio Comunale di Monigo 6,700 URC bottom 8 (13th)
England Bristol Bears Samoa Pat Lam New Zealand Steve Luatua Ashton Gate Stadium 27,000 Premiership 9th–13th (10th)
France Brive France Patrice Collazo Algeria Saïd Hireche Stade Amédée-Domenech 13,979 Top 14 bottom 6 (12th)
Wales Cardiff Wales Dai Young Wales Josh Turnbull Cardiff Arms Park 12,125 URC bottom 8 (14th)
South Africa Cheetahs South Africa Hawies Fourie South Africa Victor Sekekete Free State Stadium 46,000 Invited team
Ireland Connacht Australia Andy Friend Ireland Jack Carty Galway Sportsgrounds 8,129 URC bottom 8 (11th)
Wales Dragons Wales Dai Flanagan [lower-alpha 3] Wales Harrison Keddie
Wales Will Rowlands		 Rodney Parade [lower-alpha 4] 8,700 URC bottom 8 (15th)
Scotland Glasgow Warriors South Africa Franco Smith Scotland Kyle Steyn Scotstoun Stadium [lower-alpha 5] 7,351 URC bottom 8 (8th)
South Africa Lions South Africa Ivan van Rooyen South Africa Reinhard Nothnagel Ellis Park Stadium 62,567 URC bottom 8 (12th)
England Newcastle Falcons England Dave Walder England Will Welch Kingston Park 10,200 Premiership 9th–13th (12th)
France Pau France Sébastien Piqueronies France Lucas Rey Stade du Hameau 18,324 Top 14 bottom 6 (10th)
France Perpignan France Patrick Arlettaz France Mathieu Acebes Stade Aimé Giral 14,593 Top 14 bottom 6 (13th)
Wales Scarlets Wales Dwayne Peel Wales Jonathan Davies Parc y Scarlets 14,870 URC bottom 8 (10th)
France Stade Francais Argentina Gonzalo Quesada France Romain Briatte Stade Jean-Bouin 20,000 Top 14 bottom 6 (11th)
France Toulon France Pierre Mignoni France Charles Ollivon Stade Mayol 18,200 Top 14 bottom 6 (8th)
Italy Zebre Italy Fabio Roselli Italy Dave Sisi Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi 5,000 URC bottom 8 (16th)
Entering at Knockout Stage (transferred from Champions Cup)
France Clermont France Christophe Urios[lower-alpha 6] France Arthur Iturria Stade Marcel-Michelin 19,022 Champions Cup Pool B 9th–10th (9th)
France Lyon France Xavier Garbajosa France Jean-Marc Doussain Matmut Stadium de Gerland 35,029 Champions Cup Pool A 9th–10th (9th)
France Racing 92 France Laurent Travers France Henry Chavancy Paris La Défense Arena 32,000 Champions Cup Pool A 9th–10th (10th)
England Sale Sharks England Alex Sanderson South Africa Jono Ross AJ Bell Stadium 12,000 Champions Cup Pool B 9th–10th (10th)

Pool stage
[[File:
Locations
|1300px|alt=Locations of European teams of the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup.
Green: Pool A; Purple: Pool B; White: Entered competition in knockout stage.]]
Locations of European teams of the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup.
Green: Pool A; Purple: Pool B; White: Entered competition in knockout stage.
Locations of South African teams of the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup. Purple: Pool B.
Main article: 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage

Teams were awarded four points for a win, two for a draw, one for scoring four tries in a game, and one for losing by less than eight points.

Key to colours
     Top 6 in each pool, advance to round of 16.

Pool A
Pool A
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
France Toulon 440010256+461483019
Scotland Glasgow Warriors 431010782+2516102016
Wales Cardiff 430115457+972373015
England Bristol Bears 440012154+671983014*
Ireland Connacht 430113572+6319102014
France Brive 410366157–91923116
England Newcastle Falcons 410363132–69819105
England Bath 401368105–37814013
France Perpignan 400468118–501018101
Italy Zebre Parma 400456107–51817011
Green background (rows 1 to 6) are qualification places for the Challenge Cup round of 16.
Starting table — source: EPCR
* Bristol Bears were deducted 5 match points for selecting an ineligible player[4]

Pool B
Pool B
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
Wales Scarlets 440012457+671682018
Italy Benetton 430112070+5016103015
South Africa Lions 42119885+1311112012
France Stade Français 42028586–111101110
Wales Dragons 411298103–512112210
South Africa Cheetahs 42027387–14891110
France Pau 41036472–866037
France Bayonne 400428130–102419000
Green background (rows 1 to 6) are qualification places for the Challenge Cup round of 16.
Starting table — source: EPCR

Knockout stage

The knockout stage was played across 31 March/1/2 April with a single leg round of 16 matches consisting of the top six ranked teams from each pool and the teams ranked 9th and 10th in each pool of the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup (Clermont, Lyon, Racing 92 and Sale Sharks denoted by * in the bracket). The Round of 16 followed a pre-determined format, while the quarter-finals and semi-finals always guaranteed home advantage to the higher ranked team.

The last-16 were dominated by clubs from Top 14 (eight) and the United Rugby Championship (six), with only two English clubs reaching the knockout stages - both eliminated in the first play-off round along with the only Irish team, Connacht, while both south African clubs departed by the quarter-finals. Treviso became the first Italian side to reach a European semi-final, as three URC teams from three different countries(Italy, Scotland and Wales) reached the final four along with French giant Toulon.

Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
            
B1 Wales Scarlets 19
A6 France Brive 7
B1 Wales Scarlets 32
B9 France Clermont 30
A4 England Bristol Bears 26
B9* France Clermont 33
B1 Wales Scarlets 17
A2 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 35
A2 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 73
B5 Wales Dragons 33
A2 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 31
B3 South Africa Lions 21
B3 South Africa Lions 51
A10* France Racing 92 28
A2 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 19
A1 France Toulon 43
A1 France Toulon 36
B6 South Africa Cheetahs 21
A1 France Toulon 48
A9 France Lyon 23
B4 France Stade Français 24
A9* France Lyon 41
A1 France Toulon 23
B2 Italy Benetton 0
B2 Italy Benetton 41
A5 Ireland Connacht 19
B2 Italy Benetton 27
A3 Wales Cardiff 23
A3 Wales Cardiff 28
B10* England Sale Sharks 27

Round of 16
31 March 2023
20:00
Bristol Bears England26–33France Clermont
Try: Randall 33' c
Radradra 37' c
Con: MacGinty (2/2) 34', 38'
Pen: MacGinty (4/5) 10', 17', 49', 77'		ReportTry: Lavanini 23' c
Penaud (2) 27' c, 70' m
Moala 39' m
Con: Belleau (2/4) 24', 28'
Pen: Belleau (3/3) 13', 42', 56'
Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
Attendance: 11,207
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
31 March 2023
20:00
Scarlets Wales19–7France Brive
Try: Fifita 50' m
Shingler 78' m
Pen: Costelow (3/3) 3', 15', 28'		ReportTry: Olding 46' c
Con: Olding (1/1) 48'
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Attendance: 7,784
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
1 April 2023
13:30
Toulon France36–21South Africa Cheetahs
Try: Salles 12' c
Baubigny 30' m
Luc 40+1' c
Isa 47' m
Wainiqolo 53' c
Con: Salles (3/5) 13', 40+5', 54'		ReportTry: Van Rensburg 42' c
Jasper 58' c
Bernardo 71' c
Con: Pienaar (3/3) 43', 59', 72'
Stade Mayol, Toulon
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
1 April 2023
16:00
Stade Français France24–41France Lyon
Try: Dachary 47' m
Penalty try 19'
Pen: Segonds (4/5) 6', 42', 44', 61'		ReportTry: Penalty try 50'
Couilloud 56' c
Marchand 77' m
Dumortier 79' c
Con: Sopoaga (2/3) 57', 80'
Pen: Sopoaga (5/5) 8', 30', 36', 70', 73'
Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Attendance: 7,500
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
1 April 2023
16:00
Benetton Italy41–19Ireland Connacht
Try: Watson (2) 20' c, 52' c
Smith 27' c
Padovani (2) 36' c, 45' m
Ruzza 61' m
Con: Umaga (4/6) 21', 28', 37', 53'
Pen: Umaga (1/2) 75'		ReportTry: Oliver 12' m
Porch (2) 17' c, 56' c
Con: Hawkshaw (1/2) 18'
Forde (1/1) 57'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
1 April 2023
17:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland73–33Wales Dragons
Try: Horne 2' c
Matthews (5) 14' c, 22' m, 26' c, 33' c, 42' c
Turner 56' c
Forbes 58' c
Jones 60' c
Steyn (2) 72' m, 80' c
Con: Horne (8/10) 3', 15', 27', 34', 43', 57', 59', 61' c
Miotti (1/1) 80'		ReportTry: J. Williams 18' c
Dyer 29' c
Rosser 38' c
Dee (2) 45' c, 75' c
Con: Reed (4/5) 19', 39', 46', 77'
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Attendance: 5,140
Referee: Tual Trainini (France)
1 April 2023
18:30
Lions South Africa51–28France Racing 92
Try: Louw (2) 4' c, 51' c
Van der Merwe 7' c
Maxwane 22' c
R. Venter 40' c
Lombard 54' c
Nohamba 66' c
Con: Nohamba (5/6) 5', 40'+1, 52', 55', 67
Pen: Nohamba (1/1) 17'		ReportTry: Moukoro (2) 11' c, 28' c
Volavola 48' c
Taofifénua 58' c
Con: Le Garrec (3/3) 12', 29', 48'c
Spring (1/1) 59'
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 2,894
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
1 April 2023
20:00
Cardiff Wales28–27England Sale Sharks
Try: Domachowski 19' c
Adams (2) 33' m, 40'+2 c
Con: Evans (2/3) 20', 40'+3
Pen: Evans (2/2) 9', 71'
Priestland (1/1) 43'		ReportTry: Van der Merwe 15' c
Roebuck 51' c
Ashman 63' c
Con: Ford (3/3) 16', 52', 63'
Pen: Ford (2/2) 29', 58'
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Attendance: 7,512
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)

Quarter-finals
7 April 2023
20:00
Scarlets Wales32–30France Clermont
Try: Halfpenny 7' m
Costelow 14' c
J. Williams 36' c
Conbeer 76' c
Con: Halfpenny (1/2) 15'
Costelow (2/2) 37', 76'
Pen: Halfpenny (1/1) 6'
Costelow (1/2) 68'		ReportTry: Simone 20' m
Raka (2) 29' c, 44' m
Beria 64' c
Con: Belleau (1/3) 31'
Plisson (1/1) 64'
Pen: Belleau (2/2) 3', 35'
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Attendance: 7,634
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
8 April 2023
13:30
Toulon France48–23France Lyon
Try: Wainiqolo (2) 29' m, 66' m
Baubigny 38' c
Priso 40+3' c
Nayacalevu 49' c
Ollivon 57' c
Luc 77' c
Con: West (4/5) 39', 40+5, 50', 58'
Biggar (1/2) 78'
Pen: West (1/1) 5'		ReportTry: Couilloud 61' c
Arnold 71' c
Con: Berdeu (2/2) 61', 72'
Pen: Sopoaga (3/4) 2', 8', 46'
Stade Mayol, Toulon
Attendance: 12,095
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
8 April 2023
16:00
Benetton Italy27–23Wales Cardiff
Try: Smith 20' c
Lamaro 56' c
Watson 68' c
Con: Umaga (2/2) 21', 57'
Albornoz (1/1) 70'
Pen: Umaga (2/2) 6', 12'		ReportTry: Young 30' c
Grady 46' c
Con: Priestland (2/2) 30', 47'
Pen: Priestland (2/2) 43', 61'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
8 April 2023
20:00
Glasgow Warriors Scotland31–21South Africa Lions
Try: Dempsey 9' c
Dobie 17' c
Z. Fagerson 48' c
Jordan 73' c
Con: Horne (4/4) 10', 19', 49', 74'
Pen: Horne (1/1) 68'		ReportTry: Nohamba 43' c
F. Horn 64' c
Brandon 76' c
Con: Nohamba (1/1) 43'
Lombard (2/2) 65', 76'
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Attendance: 4,249
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)

Semi-finals

The higher-ranked club gained home stadium advantage, however, in the event that a South African team had been the higher ranked side, the game would have been located in Europe.

29 April 2023
17:30
Scarlets Wales17–35Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Try: Steff Evans 31' m
Pen: Costelow (4/4) 24’, 28’, 40’, 46’		ReportTry: McDowall (2) 2' c, 79' c
Horne 43' c
Matthews 50' c
Darge 56' c
Con: Horne (5/5) 4’, 43’, 51’, 57’, 80’ + 1
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Attendance: 13,077
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
30 April 2023
13:30
Toulon France23–0Italy Benetton
Try: Paia'aua 4' c
Gigashvili 17' c
Con: Biggar (2/2) 5', 17'
Pen: Biggar (3/3) 13', 42', 46'		Report
Stade Mayol, Toulon
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)

Final
19 May 2023
20:00 IST (UTC+01)
Glasgow Warriors Scotland19–43France Toulon
Try: Steyn (2) 55' c, 73' c
Cancelliere 68' m
Con: Horne (2/3) 56', 74'		ReportTry: Serin (2) 4' c, 24' c
Parisse 17' c
Wainiqolo 57' m
Nayacalevu 63' m
West 77' c
Con: Serin (3/3) 5', 18', 26'
Paillaugue (2/3) 64', 79'
Pen: Paillaugue (1/2) 50'
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Attendance: 31,514
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Leading scorers

Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who have not yet earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities.

See also

Notes
  1. Games when not effected by reduced crowd due to relocation.
  2. Bath were also forced to play one home game at Kingsholm, Gloucester in round 3 due to waterlogged pitch at the Rec.
  3. Flanagan took over coaching duties at the region, replacing Dean Ryan ahead of the Challenge Cup.
  4. Dragons were also forced to play their round 4 game at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence due to a frozen pitch at Rodney Parade.
  5. Glasgow were also forced to play one home game at Murrayfield Stadium in round 2 due to an unplayable pitch at Scotstoun.
  6. Jono Gibbes was sacked as head coach of Clermont in January 2023. His assistants took charge of their final pool stage match, with Christophe Urios appointed to take over as the new head coach as of the end of the pool stage.

References
  1. "South African teams to play in Champions Cup for first time". Sky Sports. 2 June 2022.
  2. "EPCR confirms inclusion of South African clubs from 2022/23 season". 2 June 2022.
  3. Ospreys finished in the bottom 8 teams, but qualified for the European rugby Champions Cup as Welsh Shield champions.
  4. "Disciplinary decision – EPCR Challenge Cup". Bristol Bears Rugby. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  5. "Tournament Statistics". EPCR. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
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