Cardiff Rugby have been drawn in Pool Three in this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup competition.

The draw was live streamed on the EPCR website from the Premier Sports studios in Dublin with the Blue and Blacks drawn alongside Toyota Cheetahs, Exeter Chiefs, Racing 92, Stade Francais Paris and Ulster Rugby.

The 2025/26 EPCR Challenge Cup tournament continues with the same pool stage format as last season with 18 clubs coming together from across the BKT United Rugby Championship, French Top 14 and Gallagher Prem, alongside two invitational sides.

The competition begins in December with two consecutive rounds of action, followed by Rounds three and four on consecutive weekends in January 2026.

Clubs will play four matches against four different opponents during the pool stage, with confirmation of the specific fixtures coming in due course.

2025/26 Challenge Cup Pools

Pool 1: Ospreys, Zebre Parma, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, US Montauban, Black Lion, Connacht Rugby

Pool 2: Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons RFC, Benetton Rugby, Lions, USAP

Pool 3: Toyota Cheetahs, Cardiff Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Racing 92, Stade Français Paris, Ulster Rugby

2025/26 weekends

Round 1 – 5/6/7 December 2025
Round 2 – 12/13/14 December 2025
Round 3 – 9/10/11 January 2026
Round 4 – 16/17/18 January 2026
Round of 16 – 3/4/5 April 2026
Quarter-finals – 10/11/12 April 2026
Semi-finals – 1/2/3 May 2026
EPCR Challenge Cup Final – San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao; Friday 22 May