Challenge Cup adjusts to compensate for English clubs demise

The Challenge Cup has been forced to readjust its fixture list to compensate for the collapse of English clubs Wasps and Worcester.

Both went into administration last month due to financial difficulties arising from their debt levels.

A statement from the EPCR reads: "Following the RFU’s decisions to suspend Wasps and Worcester Warriors from the Gallagher Premiership for the remainder of the season, both clubs cannot be included in the 2022/23 EPCR Challenge Cup fixture schedule.

"Due to the resulting changes to the number of clubs eligible to compete in the tournament, EPCR has worked with all relevant stakeholders to agree that Wasps’ and Worcester Warriors’ original opponents will now play against one another in Pool B, which has been reduced to eight clubs.

"Therefore, the Emirates Lions will play Dragons RFC in Round 1, Aviron Bayonnais and Benetton Rugby will meet in the back-to-back matches in Rounds 2 and 3, and Dragons RFC will be at home against the Emirates Lions in Round 4. See below for new fixtures

"EPCR would like to thank Aviron Bayonnais, Benetton Rugby, Dragons RFC, Emirates Lions, the Leagues and broadcast partners for their co-operation in rearranging the fixtures, and wishes everyone connected with Wasps and Worcester Warriors well for the future."

EPCR CHALLENGE CUP – rearranged Pool B fixtures

(kick-offs local time)

Round 1 – Saturday 10 December

Emirates Lions v Dragons RFC, Emirates Airline Park (12.45)

SuperSport

Round 2 – Saturday 17 December

Aviron Bayonnais v Benetton Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger (18.30)

epcrugby.tv

Round 3 – Saturday 14 January

Benetton Rugby v Aviron Bayonnais, Stadio Comunale di Monigo (14.00)

epcrugby.tv

Round 4 – Sunday 22 January

Dragons RFC v Emirates Lions, Rodney Parade (13.00)

SuperSport