EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter Finals Preview: West Country derby set for European knock-out stage
04/11/2025 06:13 AM
The EPCR Challenge Cup enters the quarter final stage this weekend, with eight high stakes matches set to cut the playing field in half to decide this year’s final four. The marquee match-up of the weekend is a West Country derby between Bath and Gloucester, with the Premiership rivals set to leave it all on the line for a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.
The remaining eight teams come into this weekend on winning momentum, and flying the flags of their respective nations with Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, France and South Africa all still represented at this latter stage of the tournament. We have compiled a run-down of the incoming fixtures to watch, with Premier Sports set to bring you all the action with televised broadcasts of each match in the Challenge Cup, and the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Edinburgh vs Bulls – Saturday 12th April, 12:30 KO, Edinburgh Hive Stadium
The early kick off this Saturday sees Edinburgh Rugby host the Vodacom Bulls, with the stage set for a belter of a battle between the two far flung nations. This match is one of the furthest possible away days within the professional rugby calendar, with the trip from Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld stadium to the Edinburgh Hive clocking up 14,286 kilometers from the Southern to Northerm hemispheres.
Interestingly, the longest away day would be a trip from the Cape Town’s Stormers’ stadium, up to Scotland to face Glasgow Warriors as this immense journey racks up a staggering 13,668 kilometers. Edinburgh come into this match hot off the back of their 24-12 win over the Emirates Lions, to book their place in the last eight. The Scottish side fired out the gate with a try within the first minute, as fullback Wes Goosen rocketed across the whitewash for a try which stunned the Lions.
Edinburgh kept their foot on the gas, as halfback Ben Vellacott added their second try at the nine minute mark, before Scotland back row star Jamie Ritchie bagged their third try before the half-time break. Despite the Lions rallying back with two second half scores, Ali Price’s late try finanlised the win for Edinburgh with the capital city club secured for the quarter-finals. After the Lions’ less-than-glamorous exit, the Bulls are the sole South African side left in any European competition, with no side left in the Champions Cup residing from the land of the Springboks.
The Bulls are in strong form, with three wins in a row putting them in a favourable position into this weekend. The Pretoria side’s string of success began as they ended Leinster’s 12-match unbeaten start to the United Rugby Championship. The Bulls built upon their 21-20 win over the Dubliners, by hammering Zebre Parma 63-24 the following week and booting Bayonne out of the Challenge Cup this past weekend.
PREDICTION: BULLS PROGRESS TO SEMI-FINALS
Ospreys vs Lyon – Saturday 12th April, 17:30 KO, Swansea.com Stadium
Ospreys welcome French giants Lyon to the Swansea.com Stadium for what promises to be a fiery Challenge Cup quarter-final clash. The Welsh side have quietly built a head of steam in recent months, winning key matches with grit and ambition.
Their only recent blemish was a United Rugby Championship loss to Scarlets a fortnight ago, however this was swiftly avenged last weekend when the Welsh rivals met back up on the European stage. The Ospreys dumped the Scarlets out of the Challenge Cup, with a commanding 36-14 win in the Round of 16.
That performance followed their statement victory in March, as Ospreys snatched a dramatic win over Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun stadium. A 31–30 classic marked Glasgow's first home defeat in nearly three years, as the Ospreys look sharp, balanced, and hungry for more.
Lyon, meanwhile, arrive in Swansea off the back of a convincing 34–21 win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks, to book their own place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals. While their Top 14 campaign has swing from clinical to chaotic, Lyon sit at seventh in their respecitive league campaign and remain a dangerous outfit to underestimate.
PREDICTION: OSPREYS PROGRESS TO SEMI-FINALS
Connacht vs Racing 92 – Saturday 12th April, 20:00 KO, Dexcom Stadium
A clash of contrasting form and fortunes awaits on the Galway coast, as Connacht welcome French giants Racing 92 to the Dexcom Stadium for what promises to be a fiery Challenge Cup quarter-final under the lights.
Connacht booked their spot in the last eight with a strong 35–20 victory over Cardiff in the Round of 16 – a performance marked by five well-worked tries from Matt Devine, Sean Jansen, Finn Tracey, Shayne Bolton, and Paul Boyle. While their URC campaign has been inconsistent, with back-to-back defeats to Ospreys and Munster after wins over Cardiff and Benetton, the western province will see Europe as their best chance for silverware this season.
Veteran centre Bundee Aki continues to lead by example, showing little sign of slowing down at 35. With whispers that this could be his final run at European glory in green, expect a fired-up performance from the Ireland international. Racing 92, meanwhile, are riding a wave of domestic momentum. Despite a season rocked by internal strife and locker room turbulence, they've rattled off three straight wins against Clermont Auvergne, Perpignan, and a statement 36–31 triumph over Bordeaux-Bègles — one of the Top 14's elite.
The Parisian side sits 11th in the league, but on paper remains one of the most dangerous outfits in Europe. However, the uncertainty surrounding high-profile exits, including Henry Arundell's confirmed departure to Bath and persistent rumours linking Owen Farrell to Leicester has cast a long shadow over the club throughout the past few months.
Connacht's home advantage and gritty European pedigree shouldn’t be underestimated, especially with Aki in warrior mode. But Racing’s recent uptick in form and individual star power, even in the midst of internal upheaval, makes them serious contenders. If Racing can keep their heads in a hostile Galway atmosphere, they may just sneak this. But if the wind howls and Connacht get rolling, the French side could unravel.
PREDICTION: CONNACHT PROGRESS TO SEMI-FINALS
Bath vs Gloucester – Sunday 13th April, 17:30 KO, The Rec
Bath vs Gloucester. It doesn't get much bigger than this on English soil, one of the fiercest and oldest rivalries in the club game, now set against the backdrop of European knockout rugby. These West Country foes don't just share geography; they share genuine animosity, historic grudges, and now, a shot at Challenge Cup glory.
Bath are flying with six wins in a row. Winners of the Premiership Rugby Cup and firmly in contention for the Premiership title, they now set their sights on a second piece of silverware this season. Their 49–24 demolition of Pau in the Round of 16 showcased their depth and firepower, with seven different try scorers, including Will Muir, Joe Cokanasiga, Ruaridh McConnochie, and Beno Obano.
Fly-half Ciaran Donoghue stole the headlines with a flawless seven-from-seven conversion display, stepping in seamlessly for the absent Finn Russell. The Scottish maestro could return for the quarter-final, a timely boost for both Bath and his British & Irish Lions ambitions. Bath have now won six in a row, including back-to-back league wins over Harlequins and Gloucester, who they toppled 42–26 at The Rec just last month.
Gloucester's campaign has been more turbulent, but they've found some bounce. After that bruising March 16th defeat to Bath, they responded in style, hammering Bristol Bears 56–28 and then knocking out Montpellier 24–17 in France. Ruann Ackermann was immense against Montpellier, not only scoring but outshining England legend Billy Vunipola in the back-row duel. Tries from Cam Jordan and Freddie Thomas underlined Gloucester's ability to strike from anywhere, while Santiago Carreras held his nerve from the tee with three conversions and a penalty.
They'll need all that composure and more to turn the tables at The Rec. Bath are in sizzling form, unbeaten in six, and have already put Gloucester to the sword once at home in recent weeks. The visitors have shown resolve, but The Rec is a fortress right now, and with silverware in sight, Bath should edge this with something to spare.
PREDICTION: BATH PROGRESS TO SEMI-FINALS
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