As previously announced, the draws for the knockout stages of the 2020/21 Challenge Cup will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland on Tuesday (March 9).
The key event which starts at 12noon will be streamed live on www.heinekenchampionscup.com and the draws for the Round of 16 and quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup will be followed immediately by draws for the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 and quarter-finals at approximately 12.20pm.
Following a recent decision by the EPCR Board in conjunction with its shareholder leagues and unions to revise the tournament formats, draws are required to map out the knockout stages of this season’s tournaments.
For the purposes of the Challenge Cup Round of 16 draw, once again clubs from the same league cannot be drawn against one another, however, Challenge Cup clubs and qualifiers from the Heineken Champions Cup can be drawn against one another.
As London Irish, Leicester Tigers and Ospreys won both preliminary stage matches on the pitch – where results were not impacted by COVID-19 – they will each be guaranteed a home fixture.
The draws for the quarter-finals in both tournaments will be open allowing for the possibility of matches between clubs from the same league.
KNOCKOUT STAGE QUALIFIERS
Challenge Cup:
London Irish, Ospreys, Leicester Tigers, Cardiff Blues, Zebre Rugby Club, Agen, Benetton Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Ulster Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Montpellier, Dragons, Harlequins, Glasgow Warriors
NB London Irish, Ospreys and Leicester Tigers are guaranteed home matches in the Round of 16.
EPCR KEY DATES:
- Knockout Stage Draws: Tuesday, 9 March
- Rounds of 16: 2/3/4 April
- Quarter-finals: 9/10/11 April
- Semi-finals: 30 April – 1/2 May
- Challenge Cup final: Marseille - Friday, 21 May
- Heineken Champions Cup final: Marseille - Saturday, 22 May