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
VenueTottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

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 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May 2021.[2]

Teams[edit]

Base on previous formats, 20 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. Two further teams will be invited; one from each of the Italian Top12 and from representatives of emerging countries.[3]

The expected distribution of teams is:

  • England: Five teams
    • Any teams finishing between 7th 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: Eight teams
    • Any teams finishing between 7th and 12th position in the Top 14 that do not qualify for the 2020-21 European Champions Cup
    • The champion from the Pro D2
    • The winner of the promotion-relegation play-off between the team in 13th position in the Top 14 and the runner-up of the Pro D2
  • Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales: six teams
    • Five teams from the Pro14, excluding the South African teams, that do not qualify for the 2020-21 European Champions Cup

The following clubs have qualified for the Challenge Cup.

Premiership Top 14 Pro14 Invited Teams
England France Ireland Italy Scotland Wales Italy Emerging Countries

              References
              1. "New EPCR dates for 2019/20 announced". European Professional Club Rugby. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
              2. "Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to stage 2021 European club rugby finals weekend". European Professional Club Rugby. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
              3. "Challenge Cup | Qualification". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
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