Dragons RFC have today discovered the club’s shortlisted opponents in the EPCR Challenge Cup for the 2026/27 season.
The Men of Gwent were today (Wednesday) drawn - during the ceremony at the Premier Sports studios in Dublin - in Pool 1 of the European tournament alongside Toyota Cheetahs, Ulster Rugby, USAP, Aviron Bayonnais and Zebre Parma.
The 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup tournament will kick off in October before pool games in December and January. Clubs will play four matches against four different opponents during the pool stage with same-league matches kept to a minimum, and only impacting clubs from the URC.
With the Pools now set, fixture schedules for both tournaments including dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage will be announced later this month. Fixtures are determined following the input of individual club calendar and venue considerations, broadcast requirements and league calendar restrictions into an algorithm with the outcomes of today’s Pool Draws, all of which are considered to deliver the optimum fixture schedules. 2026/27
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Pool 1: Toyota Cheetahs, Ulster Rugby, USAP, Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais, Zebre Parma
Pool 2: Benetton Rugby, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Newcastle Red Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Castres Olympique, Scarlets
Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh Rugby, Black Lion, Harlequins, RC Toulon, RC Vannes
Match Weekends
- Round 1 - 16/17/18 October 2026
- Round 2 - 11/12/13 December 2026
- Round 3 - 8/9/10 January 2027
- Round 4 - 15/16/17 January 2027
- Round of 16 - 2/3/4 April 2027
- Quarter-Finals - 9/10/11 April 2027
- Semi-Finals - 30 April / 1/2 May 2027
Lyon 2027 Finals Weekend, OL Stadium
- EPCR Challenge Cup Final: Friday 21 May 2027
- Investec Champions Cup Final: Saturday 22 May 2027
