2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup#Final

Seventeen teams qualified for the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup from Premiership Rugby, the Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship as a direct result of their domestic league performance having not qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup. Plus one invited sides making 18 teams.

The distribution of teams were:

• England: three teams
• Remaining teams in the Premiership that do not qualify for the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup. Worcester Warriors and Wasps had previously qualified but were both suspended after entering administration.
• France: six teams
• Teams taking part in the 2022–23 Top 14 season that did not qualify for the Champions Cup
• Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales, South Africa: nine teams
• The bottom seven teams in the United Rugby Championship and the Glasgow Warriors as the Welsh shield winners (the Ospreys) were not in the top 8 teams in the URC.Ospreys finished in the bottom 8 teams, but qualified for the European rugby Champions Cup as Welsh Shield champions.
• Cheetahs (invited to participate)

{{CSS crop|Content={{Location map+ |Europe|width=1300 |float=right |caption=Locations

|places=

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.44|long=-2.620278|label_size=75|label=Bristol|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.382222|long=-2.355278|label=Bath|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom|label_size=75}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=55.018611|long=-1.672222|label_size=75|label=Newcastle|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=53.469444|long=-2.375|label_size=75|label=Sale|mark=White pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=43.309444|long=-0.316944|label_size=75|label=Pau|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=42.715278|long=2.891389|label_size=75|label=Perpignan|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=43.118947|long= 5.936531 |label_size=75|label= Toulon|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=48.843056|long=2.252778|label_size=75|label=Stade Français|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=43.485556 |long=-1.479167|label_size=75|label=Bayonne|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.161667 |long=1.548611|label_size=75|label=Brive|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.723889 |long=4.832222|label=Lyon|mark=White pog.svg|position=right|label_size=75}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=48.929444|long=2.248056|label=Racing 92|mark=White pog.svg|position=left|label_size=75}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.789444|long=3.106111|label_size=75|label=Clermont|mark=White pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=44.826111|long=10.328889|label_size=75|label=Zebre Parma|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.680278|long=12.213333|label_size=75|label=Benetton|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.478056|long=-3.1825|label_size=75|label=Cardiff|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.588333|long=-2.987778 |label_size=75|label=Dragons|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.679167|long=-4.129167 |label_size=75|label=Scarlets|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=55.881137 |long=-4.34181|label_size=75|label=Glasgow Warriors|mark=Green pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=53.2790|long=-9.0397|label_size=75|label=Connacht|mark=Green pog.svg}}|position=left}}|bSize=1300|cWidth=450|cHeight=520|oTop=405|oLeft=100|Location=right||Description=Locations of European teams of the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup.
8px Green: Pool A; 8px Purple: Pool B; 8px White: Entered competition in knockout stage. }}

{{Location map+ |South Africa|width=450|float=right |caption=Locations of South African teams of the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup. 8px Purple: Pool B.

|places=

{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-26.1975|long=28.060833 |label= Lions |mark=Purple pog.svg|position=right|label_size=75}}

{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-29.117222|long=26.208889 |label= Cheetahs |mark=Purple pog.svg|position=right|label_size=75}} |Description=Locations of South African teams of the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup group stage. 8px Purple: Pool B. }}

{{main article|2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage}}

Teams were awarded four points for a win, two for a draw, one for scoring four tries in a game, and one for losing by less than eight points.

{{2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup Pool A table}}

{{2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup Pool B table}}

The knockout stage was played across 31 March/1/2 April with a single leg round of 16 matches consisting of the top six ranked teams from each pool and the teams ranked 9th and 10th in each pool of the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup (Clermont, Lyon, Racing 92 and Sale Sharks denoted by * in the bracket). The Round of 16 followed a pre-determined format, while the quarter-finals and semi-finals always guaranteed home advantage to the higher ranked team.

The last-16 were dominated by clubs from Top 14 (eight) and the United Rugby Championship (six), with only two English clubs reaching the knockout stages - both eliminated in the first play-off round along with the only Irish team, Connacht, while both South African clubs departed by the quarter-finals. Treviso became the first Italian side to reach a European semi-final, as three URC teams from three different countries(Italy, Scotland and Wales) reached the final four along with French giant Toulon.

{{16TeamBracket

| RD1 = Round of 16

| RD2 = Quarter-finals

| RD3 = Semi-finals

| RD4 = Final

| RD1-seed1 = B1

| RD1-team1 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Scarlets

| RD1-score1 = 19

| RD1-seed2 = A6

| RD1-team2 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Brive

| RD1-score2 = 7

| RD1-seed3 = A4

| RD1-team3 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Bristol Bears

| RD1-score3 = 26

| RD1-seed4 = B9*

| RD1-team4 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Clermont

| RD1-score4 = 33

| RD1-seed5 = A2

| RD1-team5 = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|SCO}} Glasgow Warriors}}

| RD1-score5 = 73

| RD1-seed6 = B5

| RD1-team6 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Dragons

| RD1-score6 = 33

| RD1-seed7 = B3

| RD1-team7 = {{flagicon|RSA}} Lions

| RD1-score7 = 51

| RD1-seed8 = A10*

| RD1-team8 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Racing 92

| RD1-score8 = 28

| RD1-seed9 = A1

| RD1-team9 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Toulon

| RD1-score9 = 36

| RD1-seed10 = B6

| RD1-team10 = {{flagicon|RSA}} Cheetahs

| RD1-score10 = 21

| RD1-seed11 = B4

| RD1-team11 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Stade Français

| RD1-score11 = 24

| RD1-seed12 = A9*

| RD1-team12 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Lyon

| RD1-score12 = 41

| RD1-seed13 = B2

| RD1-team13 = {{flagicon|ITA}} Benetton

| RD1-score13 = 41

| RD1-seed14 = A5

| RD1-team14 = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} Connacht

| RD1-score14 = 19

| RD1-seed15 = A3

| RD1-team15 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Cardiff

| RD1-score15 = 28

| RD1-seed16 = B10*

| RD1-team16 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Sale Sharks

| RD1-score16 = 27

| RD2-seed1 = B1

| RD2-team1 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Scarlets

| RD2-score1 = 32

| RD2-seed2 = B9

| RD2-team2 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Clermont

| RD2-score2 = 30

| RD2-seed3 = A2

| RD2-team3 = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|SCO}} Glasgow Warriors}}

| RD2-score3 = 31

| RD2-seed4 = B3

| RD2-team4 = {{flagicon|RSA}} Lions

| RD2-score4 = 21

| RD2-seed5 = A1

| RD2-team5 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Toulon

| RD2-score5 = 48

| RD2-seed6 = A9

| RD2-team6 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Lyon

| RD2-score6 = 23

| RD2-seed7 = B2

| RD2-team7 = {{flagicon|ITA}} Benetton

| RD2-score7 = 27

| RD2-seed8 = A3

| RD2-team8 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Cardiff

| RD2-score8 = 23

| RD3-seed1 = B1

| RD3-team1 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Scarlets

| RD3-score1 = 17

| RD3-seed2 = A2

| RD3-team2 = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|SCO}} Glasgow Warriors}}

| RD3-score2 = 35

| RD3-seed3 = A1

| RD3-team3 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Toulon

| RD3-score3 = 23

| RD3-seed4 = B2

| RD3-team4 = {{flagicon|ITA}} Benetton

| RD3-score4 = 0

| RD4-seed1 = A2

| RD4-team1 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Glasgow Warriors

| RD4-score1 = 19

| RD4-seed2 = A1

| RD4-team2 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Toulon

| RD4-score2 = 43

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 31 March 2023

|time = 20:00

|home = Bristol Bears {{flagicon|ENG}}

|score = 26–33

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/bristol-downed-by-clermont#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Clermont

|try1 = Randall 33' c
Radradra 37' c

|con1 = MacGinty (2/2) 34', 38'

|pen1 = MacGinty (4/5) 10', 17', 49', 77'

|try2 = Lavanini 23' c
Penaud (2) 27' c, 70' m
Moala 39' m

|con2 = Belleau (2/4) 24', 28'

|pen2 = Belleau (3/3) 13', 42', 56'

|stadium = Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol

|attendance = 11,207

|referee = Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 31 March 2023

|time = 20:00

|home = Scarlets {{flagicon|WAL}}

|score = 19–7

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/scarlets-secure-quarter-final-berth#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Brive

|try1 = Fifita 50' m
Shingler 78' m

|pen1 = Costelow (3/3) 3', 15', 28'

|try2 = Olding 46' c

|con2 = Olding (1/1) 48'

|stadium = Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli

|attendance = 7,784

|referee = Anthony Woodthorpe (England)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 1 April 2023

|time = 13:30

|home = Toulon {{flagicon|FRA}}

|score = 36–21

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/toyota-cheetahs-bow-out-at-toulon#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|RSA}} Cheetahs

|try1 = Salles 12' c
Baubigny 30' m
Luc 40+1' c
Isa 47' m
Wainiqolo 53' c

|con1 = Salles (3/5) 13', 40+5', 54'

|try2 = Van Rensburg 42' c
Jasper 58' c
Bernardo 71' c

|con2 = Pienaar (3/3) 43', 59', 72'

|stadium = Stade Mayol, Toulon

|attendance = 5,500

|referee = Andrea Piardi (Italy)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 1 April 2023

|time = 16:00

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

|score = 24–41

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/lyon-march-on-after-fightback-at-stade-francais#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Lyon

|try1 = Dachary 47' m
Penalty try 19'

|pen1 = Segonds (4/5) 6', 42', 44', 61'

|try2 = Penalty try 50'
Couilloud 56' c
Marchand 77' m
Dumortier 79' c

|con2 = Sopoaga (2/3) 57', 80'

|pen2 = Sopoaga (5/5) 8', 30', 36', 70', 73'

|stadium = Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris

|attendance = 7,500

|referee = Frank Murphy (Ireland)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 1 April 2023

|time = 16:00

|home = Benetton {{flagicon|ITA}}

|score = 41–19

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/connacht-tamed-by-benetton#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} Connacht

|try1 = Watson (2) 20' c, 52' c
Smith 27' c
Padovani (2) 36' c, 45' m
Ruzza 61' m

|con1 = Umaga (4/6) 21', 28', 37', 53'

|pen1 = Umaga (1/2) 75'

|try2 = Oliver 12' m
Porch (2) 17' c, 56' c

|con2 = Hawkshaw (1/2) 18'
Forde (1/1) 57'

|stadium = Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = Christophe Ridley (England)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 1 April 2023

|time = 17:30

|home = Glasgow Warriors {{flagicon|SCO}}

|score = 73–33

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/five-try-matthews-helps-glasgow-into-quarter-finals#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|WAL}} Dragons

|try1 = Horne 2' c
Matthews (5) 14' c, 22' m, 26' c, 33' c, 42' c
Turner 56' c
Forbes 58' c
Jones 60' c
Steyn (2) 72' m, 80' c

|con1 = Horne (8/10) 3', 15', 27', 34', 43', 57', 59', 61' c
Miotti (1/1) 80'

|try2 = J. Williams 18' c
Dyer 29' c
Rosser 38' c
Dee (2) 45' c, 75' c

|con2 = Reed (4/5) 19', 39', 46', 77'

|stadium = Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

|attendance = 5,140

|referee = Tual Trainini (France)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 1 April 2023

|time = 18:30

|home = Lions {{flagicon|RSA}}

|score = 51–28

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/emirates-lions-blitz-racing-to-continue-epcr-journey#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Racing 92

|try1 = Louw (2) 4' c, 51' c
Van der Merwe 7' c
Maxwane 22' c
R. Venter 40' c
Lombard 54' c
Nohamba 66' c

|con1 = Nohamba (5/6) 5', 40'+1, 52', 55', 67

|pen1 = Nohamba (1/1) 17'

|try2 = Moukoro (2) 11' c, 28' c
Volavola 48' c
Taofifénua 58' c

|con2 = Le Garrec (3/3) 12', 29', 48'c
Spring (1/1) 59'

|stadium = Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

|attendance = 2,894

|referee = Karl Dickson (England)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 1 April 2023

|time = 20:00

|home = Cardiff {{flagicon|WAL}}

|score = 28–27

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/cardiff-edge-sale-in-round-of-16-cracker/#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|ENG}} Sale Sharks

|try1 = Domachowski 19' c
Adams (2) 33' m, 40'+2 c

|con1 = Evans (2/3) 20', 40'+3

|pen1 = Evans (2/2) 9', 71'
Priestland (1/1) 43'

|try2 = Van der Merwe 15' c
Roebuck 51' c
Ashman 63' c

|con2 = Ford (3/3) 16', 52', 63'

|pen2 = Ford (2/2) 29', 58'

|stadium = Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

|attendance = 7,512

|referee = Luc Ramos (France)

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 7 April 2023

|time = 20:00

|home = Scarlets {{flagicon|WAL}}

|score = 32–30

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/costelow-conversion-conquers-clermont/#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Clermont

|try1 = Halfpenny 7' m
Costelow 14' c
J. Williams 36' c
Conbeer 76' c

|con1 = Halfpenny (1/2) 15'
Costelow (2/2) 37', 76'

|pen1 = Halfpenny (1/1) 6'
Costelow (1/2) 68'

|try2 = Simone 20' m
Raka (2) 29' c, 44' m
Beria 64' c

|con2 = Belleau (1/3) 31'
Plisson (1/1) 64'

|pen2 = Belleau (2/2) 3', 35'

|stadium = Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli

|attendance = 7,634

|referee = Wayne Barnes (England)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 8 April 2023

|time = 13:30

|home = Toulon {{flagicon|FRA}}

|score = 48–23

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/toulon-overpower-lyon-to-reach-semi-finals#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Lyon

|try1 = Wainiqolo (2) 29' m, 66' m
Baubigny 38' c
Priso 40+3' c
Nayacalevu 49' c
Ollivon 57' c
Luc 77' c

|con1 = West (4/5) 39', 40+5, 50', 58'
Biggar (1/2) 78'

|pen1 = West (1/1) 5'

|try2 = Couilloud 61' c
Arnold 71' c

|con2 = Berdeu (2/2) 61', 72'

|pen2 = Sopoaga (3/4) 2', 8', 46'

|stadium = Stade Mayol, Toulon

|attendance = 12,095

|referee = Mike Adamson (Scotland)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 8 April 2023

|time = 16:00

|home = Benetton {{flagicon|ITA}}

|score = 27–23

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/cardiff-crash-out-at-benetton#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|WAL}} Cardiff

|try1 = Smith 20' c
Lamaro 56' c
Watson 68' c

|con1 = Umaga (2/2) 21', 57'
Albornoz (1/1) 70'

|pen1 = Umaga (2/2) 6', 12'

|try2 = Young 30' c
Grady 46' c

|con2 = Priestland (2/2) 30', 47'

|pen2 = Priestland (2/2) 43', 61'

|stadium = Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = Luke Pearce (England)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 8 April 2023

|time = 20:00

|home = Glasgow Warriors {{flagicon|SCO}}

|score = 31–21

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/glasgow-secure-maiden-epcr-semi-final#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|RSA}} Lions

|try1 = Dempsey 9' c
Dobie 17' c
Z. Fagerson 48' c
Jordan 73' c

|con1 = Horne (4/4) 10', 19', 49', 74'

|pen1 = Horne (1/1) 68'

|try2 = Nohamba 43' c
F. Horn 64' c
Brandon 76' c

|con2 = Nohamba (1/1) 43'
Lombard (2/2) 65', 76'

|stadium = Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

|attendance = 4,249

|referee = Matthew Carley (England)

}}

The higher-ranked club gained home stadium advantage, however, in the event that a South African team had been the higher ranked side, the game would have been located in Europe.

{{Rugbybox

|date = 29 April 2023

|time = 17:30

|home = Scarlets {{flagicon|WAL}}

|score = 17–35

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/glasgow-comeback-secures-maiden-final#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|SCO}} Glasgow Warriors

|try1 = Steff Evans 31' m

|pen1 = Costelow (4/4) 24’, 28’, 40’, 46’

|try2 = McDowall (2) 2' c, 79' c
Horne 43' c
Matthews 50' c
Darge 56' c

|con2 = Horne (5/5) 4’, 43’, 51’, 57’, 80’ + 1

|stadium = Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli

|attendance = 13,077

|referee = Mathieu Raynal (France)

}}

----

{{Rugbybox

|date = 30 April 2023

|time = 13:30

|home = Toulon {{flagicon|FRA}}

|score = 23–0

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/14-man-toulon-too-good-for-benetton#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|ITA}} Benetton

|try1 = Paia'aua 4' c
Gigashvili 17' c

|con1 = Biggar (2/2) 5', 17'

|pen1 = Biggar (3/3) 13', 42', 46'

|stadium = Stade Mayol, Toulon

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Karl Dickson (England)

}}

{{Rugbybox

|date = 19 May 2023

|time = 20:00 IST (UTC+01)

|home = Glasgow Warriors {{flagicon|SCO}}

|score = 19–43

|report = [https://www.epcrugby.com/report/toulon-claim-maiden-epcr-challenge-cup-title-with-glasgow-thrashing#report Report]

|away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Toulon

|try1 = Steyn (2) 55' c, 73' c
Cancelliere 68' m

|con1 = Horne (2/3) 56', 74'

|try2 = Serin (2) 4' c, 24' c
Parisse 17' c
Wainiqolo 57' m
Nayacalevu 63' m
West 77' c

|con2 = Serin (3/3) 5', 18', 26'
Paillaugue (2/3) 64', 79'

|pen2 = Paillaugue (1/2) 50'

|stadium = Aviva Stadium, Dublin

|attendance = 31,514

|referee = Wayne Barnes (England)

}}

Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who have not yet earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities.

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-2}}

{{updated|30 April 2023}}

Source:{{cite web | url=https://www.epcrugby.com/challenge-cup/statistics/tournament/ | publisher=EPCR | access-date=30 March 2023 | title=Tournament Statistics | language=en-UK}}

{{Col-2}}

{{updated|29 April 2023}}

Source:

{{Col-end}}

• 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{European Rugby Challenge Cup}}

{{2022–23 European club competitions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2022-23 EPCR Challenge Cup}}

European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Rugby Challenge Cup

Category:EPCR Challenge Cup seasons