The 2024/25 EPCR Challenge Cup season kicks off this weekend with the Cheetahs facing Perpignan in Amsterdam and the Ospreys hosting the Lions in Swansea.
Saturday 7 December
Gloucester 1/5 | Draw 25/1 | Edinburgh 38/10
Gloucester have been much improved in the Premiership this term and come into this weekend’s clash off the back of a fantastic 25-17 win at reigning English champions Northampton Saints that has left them lying just one place outside the top four. Having finished as runners-up in the Challenge Cup last season following their Grand Final defeat at the hands of the Hollywoodbets Sharks, the Cherry and Whites will have some added motivation to begin the new campaign as strongly as possible.
They won’t have it easy against Edinburgh though, a club with a host of Scottish stars. The Scottish outfit are seventh in the URC following their 50-33 thrashing of Benetton in the last round and, with all their experience, will back themselves to trump Gloucester come the first whistle on Saturday.
Verdict: Edinburgh (+11.5) 17/20
Depending on what kind of side Sean Everett names, this should be a fiercely competitive matchup. Ultimately though the Kingsholm crowd could be the difference for the hosts.
Lyon | Draw | Cardiff betting tba
Lyon have endured a tough time of it in the Top 14 again this season, currently occupying 13th after picking up just four wins in 11 this term. For all their difficulties however, they have the talent to go deep into the Challenge Cup this season and, as we’ve come to expect from French clubs, home games will be the priority – something that could spell back news for Cardiff come Saturday.
The Welsh club may have started brightly in the URC, sitting fourth following some encouraging performances this season, but this Lyon side at the Stade Gerland could be a bridge too far for Matt Sherratt’s boys.
Verdict: Lyon on the minus
Facing the French clubs at home in European competitions is never easy for opposition. Get on Lyon to clear the handicap on Saturday.
Sunday 8 December
Cheetahs | Draw | Perpignan betting tba
Cheetahs director of rugby Frans Steyn recently reemphasised to the media his franchise’s desire for a permanent return to club competition, with Super Rugby apparently the Free Staters’ first choice. As it stands ahead of a new European season, the men in white and orange will have the odds against them again, short on game time and any real match experience. They did well to punch above their weight in qualifying for the round of 16 last season and will need more of that true grit to see them to the knockouts again.
They should be bolstered by the fact that Perpignan are unlikely to send their A-listers to Amsterdam for this one in what has been a very difficult campaign for Franck Azéma’s men, who lie 11th in the Top 14.
Verdict: Cheetahs to win
Get on the Cheetahs to start strongly in Europe by downing their French opponents.
Ospreys | Draw | Lions betting tba
Ospreys went down at Zebre in the URC this past weekend in a far from ideal result to precede the start of their Challenge Cup campaign. They should be a lot better in Swansea on Sunday though, especially knowing they triumphed 36-21 the last time the sides met at the venue.
Cash van Rooyen has clearly prioritised next week’s home clash with Pau after leaving out the likes of Quan Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Edwill van der Merwe and Henco van Wyk for this week. Given the number of front-runners missing from the Pride, it’s unlikely they will challenge a full-strength Ospreys outfit for the full 80.
Verdict: Ospreys
Ospreys to hold off the Lions on the Welsh south coast.
Quick-fire predictions
- Dragons v Montpellier Verdict = Montpellier on the board @ 8/10
- Black Lion v Vannes = Vannes on the board
- Connacht v Zebre = Connacht on the minus
- Pau v Newcastle = Pau on the minus
- Bayonne v Scarlets = Bayonne to clear the handicap
