Ahead of the EPCR Challenge Cup Pool Draws for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (July 1), EPCR has confirmed the invitee clubs for the EPCR Challenge Cup, and two tournament rule changes that will come into effect for the new season.
The Pool Draws will take place at the Premier Sports studios in Dublin and will be available to watch live at epcrugby.com setting the stage for another thrilling season of elite club rugby.
Black Lion and Toyota Cheetahs return to EPCR Challenge Cup as invitees
EPCR is pleased to confirm that Black Lion and the Toyota Cheetahs will return to the EPCR Challenge Cup following approval from the EPCR Board.
Georgia’s Black Lion has been invited to participate for a further two seasons, while the South African Toyota Cheetahs return for the upcoming campaign, completing the 18-team competition line-up.
The two clubs will join eight teams from the United Rugby Championship, six from the TOP 14 and two from the Gallagher PREM in a competition that continues to grow in strength and international reach.
The invitations follow a competitive tender process that attracted interest from clubs across multiple countries, highlighting the increasing appeal and profile of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Both clubs satisfied the required participation criteria, including establishing a European home base, demonstrating the ability to field a competitive squad and meeting EPCR’s minimum match standards.
Rule changes for 2026/27 season
EPCR has confirmed two tournament rule changes that will be introduced from the 2026/27 season following the regular review of the competition rules.
The review process involved extensive consultation with EPCR stakeholders, including the three leagues - the Gallagher PREM, United Rugby Championship and TOP 14.
The changes are designed to enhance the competitiveness and intensity of the Pool stage fixtures by enhancing the battle for qualification to the Round of 16, and ensuring matches stay competitive for longer.
While these changes will be implemented from the 2026/27 season, the overall eight-week structure and format of both competitions will remain unchanged.
EPCR Challenge Cup Rule Change 1
From 2026/27:
- The three highest-ranked clubs in each pool will automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
- The remaining three Round of 16 places will go to the three clubs with the highest number of match points across all pools, regardless of which pool they are in.
- Four clubs will continue to drop down from the Investec Champions Cup and join the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16.
Ranking will be determined along the same criteria as the Investec Champions Cup, with match wins taking precedence over points difference to separate two clubs tied on match points.
Click HERE for the detailed rules including how ranking will be determined.
Click ABOVE to watch a video further explaining the EPCR Challenge Cup rule changes.
EPCR Challenge Cup Rule Change 2
EPCR is changing the system by which Offensive Bonus Points are awarded, awarding bonus points for attacking performance if a team scores three or more tries more than their opposition.
The purpose of this change is to reward teams who continue to play attacking rugby AND who remain resolute in defence once victory appears certain, effectively ensuring tournament matches stay competitive for longer.
The change will also enable teams to deny their opponents an offensive bonus point if their defensive intensity drops, the status of the offensive bonus will remain uncertain until the conclusion of each fixture.
Unchanged to previous seasons, the defensive bonus point will remain available if a defeated team can limit the margin of defeat to seven points or fewer.
