2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup#Semi-finals

20 teams qualified for the 2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup; a total of 18 qualified from across the Premiership, Pro12 and Top 14, as a direct result of their domestic league performance, with two coming through a play-off. The expected distribution of teams was:

• England: 6
• Any teams finishing between 7th-11th position in the Aviva Premiership. (5 Teams)
• The champion of the Greene King IPA Championship. (1 Team)
• France: 7
• Any teams finishing between 8th-12th position in the Top 14. (5 Teams)
• The champion, and the winner of the promotion play-off, from the Pro D2. (2 Teams)
• Ireland, Italy, Scotland & Wales: 5 teams
• Any teams that did not qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup, through the Guinness Pro12 — namely the Pro12 bottom 5. (5 teams)

The French Top 14 had its allocation reduced by 1 place after Montpellier won the 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup. This is after it was decided that, due to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, there would be no qualification play-off.

• Other European Nations: 2 teams
• Two teams qualified through the 2015–16 Qualifying Competition, which took place alongside the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup competitions.

The following clubs qualified for the Challenge Cup.

{{Further|European Rugby Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition#2015–16}}

Once again, EPCR expanded the qualifying competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychallengecup/2015-2016-qualifying_competition.php|title=2015–16 Qualifying Competition|access-date=2016-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420182549/http://www.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychallengecup/2015-2016-qualifying_competition.php|archive-date=2016-04-20|url-status=dead}}

Eight teams were split into two pools of four. Each team played the four teams in the other pool once. The winner of each pool then played a two-legged final against last year's qualifying sides, and the winners, on aggregate, took the two remaining places in the Challenge Cup.

{{Rugbybox

|date = 9 April 2016

|time =

|home = Rovigo {{flagicon|ITA}}

|score = 0 – 31

|report =

|away = {{flagicon|RUS}} Enisey-STM

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 23 April 2016

|time =

|home = Enisey-STM {{flagicon|RUS}}

|score = 39–5

|report =

|away = {{flagicon|ITA}} Rovigo

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

• Enisey-STM qualify with an aggregate score of 70–5

{{Rugbybox

|date = 9 April 2016

|time =

|home = Timișoara Saracens {{flagicon|ROM}}

|score = 36–23

|report =

|away = {{flagicon|ITA}} Calvisano

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 23 April 2016

|time =

|home = Calvisano {{flagicon|ITA}}

|score = 17–28

|report =

|away = {{flagicon|ROM}} Timișoara Saracens

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

• Timișoara Saracens qualify with an aggregate score of 64–40

Below is the list of coaches, captain and stadiums with their method of qualification for each team.

Note: Placing shown in brackets, denotes standing at the end of the regular season for their respective leagues, with their end of season positioning shown through CH for Champions, RU for Runner-up, SF for losing Semi-finalist and QF for losing Quarter-finalist.

The 20 competing teams were seeded and split into four tiers; seeding was based on performance in their respective domestic leagues. Where promotion and relegation is in effect in a league, the promoted team was seeded last, or (if multiple teams are promoted) by performance in the lower tier.{{cite web |url=http://archive.ercrugby.com/news/28791.php |title=Watch the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Pool Draws live : News {{!}} ERC {{!}} Official Website |author= |date=7 June 2014 |website=ERCRugby.com |publisher= |access-date=8 June 2014 |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031111243/http://archive.ercrugby.com/news/28791.php#.VYLmr_lVg_8 |archive-date=2014-10-31 |url-status=dead |df= }}

Teams were taken from a league in order of rank and put into a tier. A draw was used to allocate two second seeds to Tier 1; the remaining team went into Tier 2. This allocation indirectly determined which fourth-seeded team entered Tier 2, while the others entered Tier 3.

Given the nature of the Qualifying Competition, a competition including developing rugby nations and Italian clubs not competing in the Pro12, Rugby Europe 1 and Rugby Europe 2 were automatically included in Tier 4, despite officially being ranked 1/2 from that competition.

The brackets show each team's seeding and their league (for example, 1 Top 14 indicates the team was seeded 1st from the Top 14).

The following restrictions applied to the draw:

• The 5 pools each contain four clubs, one from each of the 4 Tiers.
• Each pool is required to have one club from each league, drawn from Tier 1, 2 or 3. A second team will only be added to a pool during the Tier 4 allocation.

{{main|2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup pool stage}}

The draw took place on 29 June 2016, in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

Teams played each other twice, both at home and away, in the group stage, that began on weekend of 13/14/15/16 October 2016, and continued through to 19/20/21/22 January 2017, before the pool winners and three best runners-up progressed to the quarter finals.

Teams were awarded competition points, based on match result. Teams received 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw, 1 attacking bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match and 1 defensive bonus point for losing a match by seven points or fewer.{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychampionscup/rules.php|title=EPCR Competition Rules|access-date=2016-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420202015/http://www.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychampionscup/rules.php|archive-date=2015-04-20|url-status=dead}}

In the event of a tie between two or more teams, the following tie-breakers were used, as directed by EPCR:

1. Where teams have played each other
2. The club with the greater number of competition points from only matches involving tied teams.
3. If equal, the club with the best aggregate points difference from those matches.
4. If equal, the club that scored the most tries in those matches.
5. Where teams remain tied and/or have not played each other in the competition (i.e. are from different pools)
6. The club with the best aggregate points difference from the pool stage.
7. If equal, the club that scored the most tries in the pool stage.
8. If equal, the club with the fewest players suspended in the pool stage.
9. If equal, the drawing of lots will determine a club's ranking.

{{2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 1 table}}

{{2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 2 table}}

{{2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 3 table}}

{{2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 4 table}}

{{2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 5 table}}

The eight qualifiers were ranked according to performance in the pool stages, and compete in the quarter-finals, which was held on the weekend of 30/31 March, 1/2 April 2017. The top four teams hosted the quarter-finals against the lower teams in a 1v8, 2v7, 3v6 and 4v5 format.

The semi-finals were played on the weekend of 21/22/23 April 2017. In lieu of the draw that used to determine the semi-final pairing, EPCR announced that a fixed semi-final bracket would be set in advance, and that home advantage would be awarded to a side based on "performances by clubs during the pool stages as well as the achievement of a winning a quarter-final match away from home".

Home advantage was awarded as follows:

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-3}}

{{Col-3}}

{{Col-3}}

{{Col-end}}

The winners of the semi-finals contested the final at Murrayfield on 12 May 2017.

{{8TeamBracket

| RD1 = Quarter-finals

| RD2 = Semi-finals

| RD3 = Final

| RD1-seed1 = 3

| RD1-team1 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Edinburgh

| RD1-score1 = 22

| RD1-seed2 = 6

| RD1-team2 = {{flagicon|FRA}} La Rochelle

| RD1-score2 = 32

| RD1-seed3 = 2

| RD1-team3 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Gloucester

| RD1-score3 = 46

| RD1-seed4 = 7

| RD1-team4 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Cardiff Blues

| RD1-score4 = 26

| RD1-seed5 = 1

| RD1-team5 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Ospreys

| RD1-score5 = 21

| RD1-seed6 = 8

| RD1-team6 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Stade Français

| RD1-score6 = 25

| RD1-seed7 = 4

| RD1-team7 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Bath

| RD1-score7 = 34

| RD1-seed8 = 5

| RD1-team8 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Brive

| RD1-score8 = 20

| RD2-seed1 = 3

| RD2-team1 = {{flagicon|FRA}} La Rochelle

| RD2-score1 = 14

| RD2-seed2 = 2

| RD2-team2 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Gloucester

| RD2-score2 = 16

| RD2-seed3 = 8

| RD2-team3 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Stade Français

| RD2-score3 = 28

| RD2-seed4 = 4

| RD2-team4 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Bath

| RD2-score4 = 25

| RD3-seed1 = 2

| RD3-team1 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Gloucester

| RD3-score1 = 17

| RD3-seed2 = 8

| RD3-team2 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Stade Français

| RD3-score2 = 25

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 31 March 2017

|time = 20:00

|home = Edinburgh {{flagicon|SCO}} (3)

|score = 22–32

|report = Report{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35383.php|title=European Rugby Challenge Cup (ECPR)|website=epcrugby.com|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703042152/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35383.php|archive-date=2017-07-03|url-status=dead}}

|away = (6) {{flagicon|FRA}} La Rochelle

|try1 = Burleigh 19' c
Ford 39' m
Watson 46' c

|con1 = Tovey (1/2) 20'
Hidalgo-Clyne (1/1) 48'

|pen1 = Weir (1/1) 65'

|try2 = Maurouard (2) 5' c, 11' c
Retiere 24' m
Barry 35' c

|con2 = James (3/4) 6', 13', 35'

|pen2 = James (2/3) 69', 79'

|stadium = Murrayfield Stadium

|attendance = 5,489

|referee = Luke Pearce (RFU)

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 1 April 2017

|time = 12:45

|home = Bath {{flagicon|ENG}} (4)

|score = 34–20

|report = Report{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35402.php|title=REPORT: Bath reach Challenge Cup semi-finals|website=www.epcrugby.com|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703020609/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35402.php|archive-date=2017-07-03|url-status=dead}}

|away = (5) {{flagicon|FRA}} Brive

|try1 = Faletau (2) 21' c, 43' c
Homer 27' m
Rokoduguni (2) 31' m, 75' c

|con1 = Priestland (3/5) 22', 44', 77'

|pen1 = Priestland (1/1) 9'

|try2 = Sanconnie (2) 49' c, 55' c

|con2 = Germain (2/2) 50', 56'

|pen2 = Germain (2/2) 14', 19'

|stadium = Recreation Ground

|attendance = 11,677

|referee = Marius Mitrea (FIR)

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 1 April 2017

|time = 20:05

|home = Gloucester {{flagicon|ENG}} (2)

|score = 46–26

|report = Report{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35418.php|title=REPORT: Gloucester win Kingsholm thriller|website=www.epcrugby.com|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703003744/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35418.php|archive-date=2017-07-03|url-status=dead}}

|away = (7) {{flagicon|WAL}} Cardiff Blues

|try1 = Moriarty 10' c
Marshall (2) 25' c, 58' c
May 54' c
Atkinson 65' c
Purdy 78' m

|con1 = Burns (1/1) 10'
Twelvetrees (4/5) 26', 55', 60', 66'

|pen1 = Burns (1/1) 17'
Twelvetrees (1/1) 23'

|try2 = Cuthbert (2) 4' c, 34' c

|con2 = Shingler (2/2) 5', 35'

|pen2 = Shingler (3/3) 14', 21', 49'

|drop2 = Anscombe (1/1) 39'

|stadium = Kingsholm Stadium

|attendance = 11,206

|referee = Pascal Gaüzère (FFR)

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 2 April 2017

|time = 17:45

|home = Ospreys {{flagicon|WAL}} (1)

|score = 21–25

|report = Report{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35431.php|title=European Rugby Challenge Cup (ECPR)|website=epcrugby.com|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821174417/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35431.php|archive-date=2017-08-21|url-status=dead}}

|away = (8) {{flagicon|FRA}} Stade Français

|try1 = Matavesi 47' m
Ardron 76' c

|con1 = Biggar (1/2) 76'

|pen1 = Biggar (3/3) 13', 33', 53'

|try2 = Zhvania 30' m
Lakafia 54' c
Arias 59' c

|con2 = Plisson (2/3) 54', 59'

|pen2 = Plisson (2/2) 28', 44'

|stadium = Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

|attendance = 12,127

|referee = Matthew Carley (RFU)

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 22 April 2017

|time = 21:00

|home = La Rochelle {{flagicon|FRA}}

|score = 14–16

|report = Report{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35644.php|title=REPORT: Gloucester become first team to win in La Rochelle|website=www.epcrugby.com|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703055322/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35644.php|archive-date=2017-07-03|url-status=dead}}

|away = {{flagicon|ENG}} Gloucester

|try1 = Lagrange 66' m

|con1 =

|pen1 = James (3/5) 24', 40', 65'

|try2 = Burns 59' c

|con2 = Burns (1/1) 59'

|pen2 = Burns (3/3) 9', 18', 56'

|stadium = Stade Marcel-Deflandre

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Andrew Brace (IRFU)

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 23 April 2017

|time = 13:30

|home = Stade Français {{flagicon|FRA}}

|score = 28–25

|report = Report{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35650.php|title=REPORT: Plisson fires Stade into final|website=www.epcrugby.com|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703120928/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35650.php|archive-date=2017-07-03|url-status=dead}}

|away = {{flagicon|ENG}} Bath

|try1 = Doumayrou 12' c
Plisson 48' m
Pyle 78' c

|con1 = Plisson (2/3) 12', 78'

|pen1 = Plisson (2/2) 5', 17'

|drop1 = Plisson (1/1) 80'

|try2 = Rokoduguni 63' c
Fruean 68' m
Stooke 71' c

|con2 = Ford (2/3) 63', 71'

|pen2 = Ford (2/2) 10', 34'

|stadium = Stade Jean-Bouin

|attendance = 10,175

|referee = John Lacey (IRFU)

}}

{{rugbybox

|date = 12 May 2017

|time = 20:00

|home = Gloucester {{flagicon|ENG}}

|score = 17–25

|report = Report{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35845.php|title=REPORT: Stade Francais are 2017 Challenge Cup winners|website=www.epcrugby.com|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817123310/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35845.php|archive-date=2017-08-17|url-status=dead}}

|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Stade Français

|try1 =May 14' c
Moriarty 79' c

|con1 =Burns (2/2) 15', 79'

|pen1 =Burns (1/1) 22'

|drop1 =

|try2 =Parisse 32' c
Danty 57' m
Doumayrou 71' c

|con2 =Plisson (1/2) 32'
Steyn (1/1) 72'

|pen2 =Plisson (1/1) 27'
Steyn (1/1) 75'

|drop2 =

|stadium = Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

|attendance = 24,494

|referee = John Lacey (IRFU)

}}

|style="vertical-align:top"|

|style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

|}

• Does not include final as this is held at a neutral venue.

{{reflist|group=a}}

• 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{European Rugby Challenge Cup}}

{{2016–17 European club competitions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:European Rugby Challenge Cup}}

2016-17

Category:2016–17 rugby union tournaments for clubs

Category:2016–17 in European rugby union

Category:2016–17 in English rugby union

Category:2016–17 in French rugby union

Category:2016–17 in Romanian rugby union

Category:2016–17 in Italian rugby union

Category:2016–17 in Scottish rugby union

Category:2016–17 in Welsh rugby union

Category:2017 in Russian rugby union

Category:2016 in Russian rugby union