2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup

The 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup will be the seventh edition of the European Rugby Challenge Cup, an annual second-tier rugby union competition for professional clubs. Including the predecessor competition, the original European Challenge Cup, this is the 25th edition of European club rugby's second-tier competition.

2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup
Tournament details
Countries England
 France
 Ireland
 Italy
 Scotland
 Wales
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and Knockout
Tournament statistics
Teams20
Final
VenueStade de Marseille, Marseille

The tournament is due to begin in December 2020, depending on the situation with the Covid-19 Pandemic and decisions on how or if to complete the 2019-20 European Rugby Challenge Cup.[1] The final will take place at Stade de Marseille on 21 May 2021.[2]

Teams

15 teams will qualify for the 2020–21 European Challenge Cup; 18 will qualify from Premiership Rugby, the Pro14 and the Top 14, as a direct result of their domestic league performance having not qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup. Although, the two South African Pro14 teams are not eligible. One further teams will be invited; from each of the Italian Top12 or from representatives of emerging countries.[3]

The expected distribution of teams is:

  • England: Four teams
    • Any teams finishing between 9th and 11th position in the Premiership Rugby that do not qualify for the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
    • The champion of the RFU Championship
  • France: Six teams
    • Any teams finishing between 7th and 14th position in the Top 14 that do not qualify for the 2020-21 European Champions Cup
  • Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales: At least four teams
    • Four teams from the Pro14, excluding the South African teams, that do not qualify for the 2020-21 European Champions Cup
  • One further team from a developing nation or the Top12

The following clubs have qualified for the Challenge Cup.

Premiership Top 14 Pro14 Invited team
England France Ireland Italy Scotland Wales Italy Emerging countries
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      References
      1. "New EPCR dates for 2019/20 announced". European Professional Club Rugby. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
      2. "Marseille finals moved to 2021 with new venues for this season to be decided". European Professional Club Rugby. 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
      3. "Challenge Cup | Qualification". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
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