Toulon, Lyon, Brive, Pau, Perpignan and Biarritz: six Top 14 teams are on the starting line of the European Challenge 2021-2022, which begins this Friday, December 10, and intend to succeed Montpellier, crowned last season.
The “small” European Cup has had a makeover this season: fifteen clubs, three pools, five days from December to April before the final stages which begin with the round of 16, with three clubs transferred from the Champions Cup.
The final will take place at the end of May at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. For a shock 100% made in Top 14 as in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2012 and 2019?
Lyon and Toulon represent, on paper the two best French chances, especially if the RCT, now bullied by the former guru of Clermont, Franck Azéma, finds color.
Program of the 1st day of the European Challenge held on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 December
Friday 10
– Pool A
20 h, Newcastle (ENG) – Worcester (ENG)
– Pool B
21 h, Lyon (FRA) – Gloucester (ENG)
Saturday 11
– Pool A
14 h, Zebre (ITA) – Biarritz (FRA)
– Pool B
18 h 30, Perpignan (FRA) – Dragons (WAL)
– Pool C
15 h 15, Saracens (ENG) – Edimbourg (SCO)
21 h, Pau (FRA) – London Irish (ENG)
►Toulon and Brive at rest for the first day.
–
–
Promoted from Pro D2 and currently 13th and 14th in the Top 14, Perpignan and Biarritz will especially have the head to save themselves in the French championship while Pau and Brive will rely on their strength at home to do better than last season and come out of their pool .
The Lou opens the ball on Friday, with the reception of the English from Gloucester, whom they had knocked out 55-10 last season in the European Cup.
Biarritz, which returns to the European scene for the first time since the 2013-2014 season, goes to Italy, facing the Zebre.
Finally, Usap receives the Welsh Dragons and will want to string together a third success in a row at home, in all competitions.
The London Irish will celebrate their 100th Challenge Cup match with a complicated trip to Pau. The Section have only beaten the English club once in their last six matches (26-17 last season).
–
