Challenge Cup - News, reports, analysis and opinion

Tag: Challenge Cup

Bath vs Gloucester: Seb Atkinson keen to get it right against Bath

23 March 2025 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe PREVIEW… Bath v Gloucester Today. Kick-off 3pm, Recreation Ground Seb Atkinson says Gloucester will look to take inspiration from Bristol’s 36-26 win […]

Prem Rugby Cup Final Preview: Ruaridh McConnochie’s on a mission

16 March 2025 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Match Preview – Exeter v Bath Ruaridh McConnochie insists Bath will be winners this weekend even if they don’t lift the Premiership […]

Liam Belcher: Cardiff are heading in the right direction

16 March 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas By his own admission, it’s been a nightmare season for Liam Belcher so far, but now the Cardiff skipper is looking to […]

Santi Carreras will be fighting for Gloucester until the end, insists Trevor Woodman

9 March 2025 0 comments

By Gary Fitzgerald Santiago Carreras may be about to wave adios to Kingsholm but he will certainly not be “downing tools”. The Argentina star, who […]

Cross Keys set up Ponty clash

2 March 2025 0 comments

Premiership Cup round-up ■By CARL FIELD CROSS Keys will once again lock horns with Pontypridd with silverware on the line at the Principality Stadium next […]

Size isn’t everything, insists Tom Bowen

23 February 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Tom Bowen is aiming to follow in the side-stepping footsteps of his heroes Shane Williams and Cheslin Kolbe by proving that size […]

Top Five Strangest Endings in Rugby History

17 February 2025 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott Over the weekend, Major League Rugby’s opener between Miami Sharks and Old Glory DC went viral following the strange ending to the […]

Josh McNally – Too tall to be a pilot, I found lift-off in rugby

16 February 2025 0 comments

Jon Newcombe talks to Josh McNally who says that, without the RAF, he would not have achieved anything in the game High flier: Josh McNally, […]

I’m enjoying the challenge with Falcons – Dickens

2 February 2025 0 comments

■By PAUL REES No regrets: Alan Dickens is part of the Newcastle coaching staff NEWCASTLE may be bottom of the Premiership again, but Alan Dickens […]

Charging Bulls dominate Stade Francais to book their Challenge Cup spot

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Bulls………………… 48pts Tries: Penalty 3, Williams 13, Papier 18, Vermaak 27, Louw 39, Chamberlain 47, Hanekom 51 Conversions: Goosen 14, 19, Chamberlain […]

First-half blitz sets Scarlets on their way to Challenge Cup knockouts

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Roger Panting Scarlets ………..38pts Tries: Macleod 7, 22; Murray 26, Davies 32, Rogers 37, Van der Merwe 51 Conversions: Lloyd 7, 22, 32, 51 […]

Montpellier turn power on to finish in top spot

19 January 2025 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Newcastle ……………………… 7pts Tries: Hearle 32 Conversions: Wilkinson 33 Montpellier…………………. 26pts Tries: Bernadet 1, Serfontein 46, Akrab 59, Martins 64 Conversions: Darmon […]

Lyon thump Cheetahs to secure home Challenge cup knockout tie

19 January 2025 0 comments

Lyon secured a home knockout tie with a 10-try, 68-21 victory including two apiece from Josiah Maraku and Léo Berdeu. A first-half double from Maraku […]

George Skivington surprised by Gloucester duo’s absence from Wales’ Six Nations squad

15 January 2025 0 comments

Gloucester rugby director George Skivington has admitted his surprise at the omission of Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn from Wales’ Six Nations squad. Both Gloucester […]

Philippe Saint-Andre challenges Sale Sharks to win something

12 January 2025 0 comments

Philippe Saint-Andre has assessed Sale’s title prospects and declared: “It’s about time they won something again.”

‘Je ne regrette rien’: Lewis Ludlam loving life at Toulon

12 January 2025 0 comments

Lewis Ludlam insists he will return to Northampton one day but has no regrets about leaving the town or England behind for now.

New signing Regan Grace out to seize his chance at Cardiff

12 January 2025 0 comments

Cardiff have revealed how the signing of Regan Grace was made possible by an injury to one of their Wales stars.

Toulon v Harlequins: We’re expecting a brutal clash, admits Chisholm

12 January 2025 0 comments

James Chisholm admits he is not one of the flashier players who wear the Harlequins’ multi-coloured jersey, but the back rower proved his worth at a bitterly cold Newcastle in the last round of the Premiership.

Cardiff still in running after taking bonus point

12 January 2025 0 comments

■ By SIMON THOMAS Perpignan ………23pts Tries: Allan 40, Veredamu 50, Velarte 61 Conversion: Allan 40 Penalties: Allan 4, 48 Cardiff …………… 20pts Tries: Lee-Lo […]

Connacht find target thanks to Murphy

12 January 2025 0 comments

■By BENEDICT GOLDFINCH Connacht ……….52pts Tries: Murphy 2, 39, 46; Jansen 15, Bealham 18, Murphy 42, Aungier 54, Tierney-Martin 73, Hurley-Langton 85 Conversions: Ioane 3, […]

Black Lion ….. 16 Bayonne ………41

12 January 2025 0 comments

BAYONNE blew a helpless Black Lion away with a dominant six-try bonus point triumph on the road. The routine victory continues Bayonne’s impressive campaign that […]

Great to see a big match on ITV

5 January 2025 0 comments

Big game: Tommy Reffell on the attack for Leicester against Harlequins PICTURE: Getty images WELL said Peter Warren, TRP letters 29/12/2024. If you enjoy a […]

Steve Diamond is happy to stick with Newcastle Falcons

29 December 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Steve Diamond has committed himself to Newcastle long-term, as long he is wanted by the new owners when Semore Kurdi sells his […]

Remembering the days when Cardiff set the standard in club rugby

29 December 2024 0 comments

A new year beckons, one that will mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of Cardiff Rugby Club, modestly subtitled The Greatest and written by […]

Matt Sherratt backing Taulupe Faletau to hit the heights

22 December 2024 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Taulupe Faletau has been tipped to move on up through the gears as he continues his long-awaited comeback. The Wales and Lions […]

Sherratt backing Faletau to hit the heights

22 December 2024 0 comments

By SIMON THOMAS TAULUPE Faletau has been tipped to move on up through the gears as he continues his long-awaited comeback. The Wales and Lions […]

Sherratt backing Faletau to hit the heights

22 December 2024 0 comments

By SIMON THOMAS TAULUPE Faletau has been tipped to move on up through the gears as he continues his long-awaited comeback. The Wales and Lions […]

Schalk Ferreira leads the way as veterans take to the pitch

22 December 2024 0 comments

Veteran props never quit, they just keep on scrummaging in ever increasing numbers which explains why Francisco Gomez Kodela fails to make the combined European […]

Ferreira leads the way as veterans take to the pitch

22 December 2024 0 comments

VETERAN props never quit, they just keep on scrummaging in ever increasing numbers which explains why Francisco Gomez Kodela fails to make the combined European […]

Ferreira leads the way as veterans take to the pitch

22 December 2024 0 comments

VETERAN props never quit, they just keep on scrummaging in ever increasing numbers which explains why Francisco Gomez Kodela fails to make the combined European […]

Alfie Petch on the move

22 December 2024 0 comments

Gloucester prop Alfie Petch has signed a short-term loan deal at Cornish Pirates. The 24-year-old played for the Pirates during 2022-23 before signing for Northampton. […]

Petch on the move

22 December 2024 0 comments

GLOUCESTER prop Alfie Petch has signed a short-term loan deal at Cornish Pirates. The 24-year-old played for the Pirates during 2022-23 before signing for Northampton. […]

Petch on the move

22 December 2024 0 comments

GLOUCESTER prop Alfie Petch has signed a short-term loan deal at Cornish Pirates. The 24-year-old played for the Pirates during 2022-23 before signing for Northampton. […]

Channelling Teams of the Past: Derby Day Delight and Cup Dreams for Heol-y-Cyw

19 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports “There is only one way to succeed at anything: to give everything.” This powerful statement from Heol-y-Cyw captain Jordan Hawkins […]

My main priority is to help Bath win a trophy, says Miles Reid

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe An in-house club quiz hit home to Bath’s players just how long it has been since the club were crowned champions of […]

Lions outlast Pau in 80-point thriller

15 December 2024 0 comments

The Lions got off the mark in the Challenge Cup with a win against Section Paloise in a 10-try thriller that was twice delayed due […]

Off-target Gloucester get lesson in finishing

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Luke Jarmyn Vannes………………………….. 43pts Tries: Benmegal 2, 46; Ruru 4, 10; Chateau 65, Blanchard 70 Conversions: Lafage 3, 5, 47, 66, 71 Penalty: Lafage […]

We were a bit Keystone Kops against Pau – Diamond

15 December 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Newcastle v Dragons Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, Kingston Park NEWCASTLE are aiming for their fifth straight home victory when they welcome the […]

Ospreys crash to earth

15 December 2024 0 comments

■ By SIMON THOMAS Montpellier ……………. 59pts Tries: Martins 11, DuGuid 15, Uelese 29, Coly 37, Akrab 43, Moustin 52, Cadot 54, Forletta 62, Tambwe […]

Old pros who say it like it is

15 December 2024 0 comments

HIGHLIGHTS of the latest round of Champions League football ran for 80 minutes on BBC1 last Wednesday. Contrast that to the terrestrial TV coverage for […]

Darge: We’re all set for Toulon challenge

15 December 2024 0 comments

■By BRYN PALMER Hopeful: Rory Darge in action for Glasgow PICTURES: Getty Images SCOTLAND flanker Rory Darge believes Glasgow’s 2023 Challenge Cup final defeat by […]

Montpellier are pushed all the way by Dragons

8 December 2024 0 comments

By SIMON THOMAS Dragons …………. 14pts Tries: Basham 26, O’Brien 40 Conversions: O’Brien 27, 40 Montpellier ….. 18pts Tries: Tambwe 13, Tauleigne 21 Conversion: Barreau […]

Morgan returns to boost Ospreys

8 December 2024 0 comments

Preview Ospreys v Lions By BEN JAYCOCK Today. 3.15pm WINGER Keelan Giles brings up a century of Ospreys appearances today as his side welcome South […]

We are going to have a real go at Pau, says Diamond

8 December 2024 0 comments

PREVIEW… By PAUL REES Ospreys v Lions Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stade du Hameau STEVE Diamond has picked a strong side for today’s Challenge Cup clash […]

Gloucester on a roll after standing up to Edinburgh

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Luke Jarmyn Gloucester ……… 15pts Tries: Blake 10, Tuisue 64 Conversion: Carreras 11 Penalty: Carreras 45 Edinburgh ……….. 10pts Try: Goosen 36 Conversion: Thompson […]

Sherratt throws Emanuel in at the deep end

8 December 2024 0 comments

■ By ROB COLE STEFF Emanuel became the most high profile graduate of Super Rygbi Cymru when he made his senior debut for Cardiff in […]

Ghezal’s job is to drag Lyon out of a hole

8 December 2024 0 comments

GOOD news has been hard to come by at Top 14 strugglers Lyon in recent weeks. Last Saturday’s defeat at Pau, which saw them drop […]

Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs – Champions Cup Preview

7 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports We have an action-packed rugby weekend to look forward to over the coming days as the Champions Cup gets underway. […]

Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash

1 December 2024 0 comments

■By GARY FITZGERALD FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe. The second row enjoyed a […]

Skivington: We will recover from big defeat

24 November 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES GLOUCESTER return on Saturday to Northampton for the first time since suffering their heaviest Premiership defeat six months ago, looking for points […]

Tag: Challenge Cup

Recent Posts

Search