Latest news with #EPCRChallengeCup
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dragons RFC European fixtures for 2025/26 campaign announced
Tournament organisers EPCR have confirmed the dates for the pool stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup. The Dragons are set to face French Top 14 heavyweights Lyon and the Newcastle Falcons from the English Premiership at Rodney Parade. The Men of Gwent, playing in Pool 2, kick off their campaign against Perpignan at Stade Aimé Giral on Sunday, December 7, with a 2pm local time start. The following weekend will see Filo Tiatia's squad welcome last season's runners-up, Lyon, to Rodney Parade for a 3.15pm kick-off on Sunday, December 14. Round 3 will have the Dragons on the road again, this time facing United Rugby Championship rivals Benetton Rugby at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday, January 10, with a 6.30pm start in local time. The group stages will conclude with a home fixture against Newcastle Falcons on Friday, January 16, under the Rodney Parade lights, with an 8pm kick-off. The EPCR fixtures for the 2025/26 season are as follows: Round 1: Sunday, December 7: USAP vs Dragons RFC, Stade Aimé Giral, 2pm local time. Round 2: Sunday, December 14: Dragons RFC vs Lyon Olympique. Rodney Parade, 3.15pm. Round 3: Saturday, January 10: Benetton Rugby vs Dragons RFC, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 6.30pm local time. Round 4: Friday, January 16: Dragons RFC vs Newcastle Falcons, Rodney Parade, 8pm. In other news, Dragons RFC's Rodrigo Martinez has been selected for the Argentina XV squad for the upcoming international against Romania. The loosehead, after training with the squad, is now part of the selection process for the second fixture. The game will be on Friday, July 18, at Club Atlético San Isidro in Buenos Aires. Argentina, having beaten Brazil 45-17 earlier this month, aim to secure a double in the July international window. Team news will be announced later this week.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh Rugby Investec Champions Cup matches confirmed
"Edinburgh will kick off their European journey with a massive home opener against French giants RC Toulon at Hive Stadium on Sunday 7 December, kick-off 5.30pm. This promises to be a spectacular start to the campaign, as Edinburgh look to lay down an early marker against one of European rugby's most decorated clubs. "Sean Everitt's men will then embark on their first away trip, facing Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre-Fabre on Sunday 14 December (kick-off 1pm GMT). This rematch follows encounters in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, with Edinburgh notably securing a famous Investec Champions Cup away win against the French side in January 2023. "The new year will see the capital side return to Hive Stadium for a massive Friday night lights clash in Round 3, hosting Gloucester on Friday 9 January, kick-off 8pm. Edinburgh faced the Kingsholm outfit in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 EPCR Challenge Cup campaigns, setting the stage for another compelling Anglo-Scottish encounter. European rugby: locked in 🔒 Your @ChampionsCup fixtures are here and it's going to be epic! Don't miss it ➡️ — Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) July 15, 2025 "Edinburgh will conclude their European pool stage fixtures with a highly anticipated Friday night clash away to Bath at The Rec on Friday 9 January, kick-off 8pm. "This fixture is a rematch of last season's thrilling EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final, where Bath emerged victorious 24-39 in a captivating encounter at a capacity Hive Stadium, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this contest against the reigning Gallagher Premiership and EPCR Challenge Cup Champions. "The best way to secure your place at two monumental European nights at Hive Stadium against RC Toulon and Gloucester is with a 2025/26 season ticket! With limited places available, supporters are encouraged to secure their season ticket TODAY and be part of two huge can't-miss fixtures."
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Munster will take on Gloucester in an historic Champions Cup clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Munster's historic first Champions Cup game at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be against Gloucester on Saturday December 13. Munster have played at the famous Cork GAA venue on two previous occasions selling out both times with an record crowd attendance of 41,400 in November 2022 when they took on South Africa A in a thrilling encounter. Munster will be on the road for their opening clash when they head to The Rec to take on Bath, fresh from their historic treble, on Saturday December 6 (8pm). The competition kicks off on Friday December 5 with Sale Sharks hosting Glasgow Warriors at Salford Community Stadium (8pm) while Bayonne take on the Stormers at Stade Jean-Dauger (9pm local time). On Saturday December 6, Leinster welcome Premiership side Harlequins with the venue yet to be decided due to continued works on the redevelopment of the RDS. They are on the road for round two when they head to Welford Road to take on Leicester Tigers on Friday December 12 (8pm). Last year's champions Bordeaux Bègles kick off their campaign when they travel to South Africa to take on the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld (5.15pm local time). Six times champions Toulouse are at home for their first round when they take on Sharks at the Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday December 7 (5.30pm local time) in what is a round one blockbuster clash. Pau make a return to the top-tier competition for the first time in 25 years and they have a home fixture against Northampton Saints (2pm local time). In the EPCR Challenge Cup, Ulster will kick of their campaign when they welcome Racing 92 to the Affidea Stadium on Friday December 5 (8pm). Connacht will be the last off the Irish sides to kick off their European fixture when they travel to Ospreys on Sunday December 7 (3.15pm). Investec Champions Cup fixtures 2025/26 (all times local times) Round 1 Friday December 5: Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors, Salford Community Stadium, 8pm; Bayonne v Stormers, Stade Jean Dauger, 8pm. Saturday December 6: Saracens v Clermont Auvergne, StoneX Stadium, 1pm; Bulls v Bordeaux Bègles, Loftus Versfeld, 3.15pm (local time); La Rochelle v Leicester Tigers, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 5.30pm; Leinster v Harlequins, TBD, 5.30pm; Scarlets v Bristol Bears, Parc y Scarlets, 8pm; Bath v Munster, The Rec, 8pm. Sunday December 7: Pau v Northampton Saints, Stade du Hameau, 1pm; Toulouse v Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon, 3.15pm; Gloucester v Castres, Kingsholm, 3.15pm; Edinburgh v RC Toulon, TBD, 5.30pm. Round 2 Friday December 12: Leciester Tigers v Leinster, Welford Road, 8pm. Saturday December 13: Stormers v La Rochelle, TBD, 1pm; Sharks v Saracens, Kings Park, 3.15pm; Clermont Auvergne v Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-Michelin, 3.15pm; Bordeaux Bègles v Scarlets, Stade Chaban-Delmas, 5.30pm; Munster v Gloucester, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5.30pm; Glasgow Warriors v Toulouse, Scotstoun Stadium, 8pm. Sunday December 14: Harlequins v Bayonne, Twickenham Stoop, 1pm; Castres v Edinburgh, Stade Pierre-Fabre, 1pm; Toulon v Bath, Stade Felix Mayol, 3.15pm; Northampton Saints v Bulls, Franklin's Gardens, 3.15pm; Bristol Bears v Pau, Ashton Gate, 5.30pm.
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
URC: Dragons sign tighthead prop Robert Hunt from Cheetahs
The Rodney Parade club have finally confirmed the arrival of the 28-year-old after receiving the final piece of paperwork. Hunt has already been training with his new teammates after joining from the Cheetahs and is ready to battle for the 3 jersey when the United Rugby Championship starts at Ulster on September 26. The Dragons have also signed Wales international Dillon Lewis to join Chris Coleman, who is poised for a first cap against Japan on Saturday morning. More depth comes from Luke Yendle and Wales Under-20s international Owain James. Forwards coach Sam Hobbs, himself a former prop, believes Hunt has the attributes to be a big figure in Newport. 'We're delighted to bring Rob into our pack this summer,' he said. 'Having come through the system in South Africa, Rob has experience of some of the toughest scrum and set piece environments about. 'He has URC experience having previously played with the Bulls and has performed strongly, particularly at set piece, with the Cheetahs in the EPCR Challenge Cup and Currie Cup the last couple of seasons. 'In the prime of his career, Rob will add quality and depth to our senior tighthead position, further strengthening an exciting competition with Dillon Lewis and Chris Coleman for the starting three jersey.' Hunt, 6ft 1ins and weighing over 19 stone, started his career with the Leopards and played for the Bulls in the URC. He arrives to boost a front row that was badly hit by the retirements of tightheads Lloyd Fairbrother and Leon Brown last year, plus Dmitri Arhip's injury struggles. Hunt said: 'Dragons are evidently working on something big to swing the momentum of the club around and that's something I eagerly want to part of. 'I'm excited to get into pre-season with the boys, graft and build that excitement heading into next season. 'I look forward most to the set-piece. There's some great experience in the pack, and I believe we have the firepower to do some positive things together.' The Dragons have had a big recruitment drive this summer with Hunt the 13th confirmed signing. Head coach Filo Tiatia has so far added utility back David Richards, wing Fine Inisi, centre Fetuli Paea, fly-halves Tinus de Beer and Jac Lloyd, loosehead Wyn Jones, tighthead Dillon Lewis, locks Levi Douglas and Seb Davies, flankers Thomas Young and Harry Beddall and number eight Mackenzie Martin. The club have also secured a deal with a 14th player – a scrum-half to join Rhodri Williams, Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd as an option. They get the URC under way in Belfast with four of the six fixtures at Rodney Parade in a pivotal first block.
TimesLIVE
08-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Bulls bolster squad with Serfontein, Orie, Janse van Rensburg and De Wet
The post-Jake White era has started in earnest at Loftus Versfeld, with the Bulls announcing the arrival of experienced midfielder Jan Serfontein, locks Marvin Orie and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and scrumhalf Paul de Wet. Serfontein returns to Pretoria on an initial three-year deal and EPCR Challenge Cup and French Top 14 winner Janse van Rensburg has put pen to paper for a contract that expires in June 2027. Orie and De Wet have joined the herd on short-term deals. Serfontein returns to Tshwane from French side Montpellier, whom he left the capital for and made more than 147 appearances since the 2017 season. Before his departure, the Springbok centre earned 48 caps for the Bulls, scoring 15 tries from 45 matches. The Grey alumni arrived back at Loftus on July 1 and will have his contract with the club run to 2028.
