State of Challenge Cup

Teams like the Lions (9 log points) and Ospreys (9 log points) have already qualified for the round of 16, but no-one in Pool 1 (even Sharks with 12 log points and Cheetahs with 9 log points) have yet qualified.

https://www.epcrugby.com/challenge-cup/matches/pool-tables

This is due to the tournament rules – the top 4 teams in each pool plus the 5th ranked teams in the Champions Cup will play in the round of 16. At this stage in Pool 1 due to 4 other teams at 7 plus log points there is a very small mathematical possibility that the Sharks could even fail to qualify – should they loose by 29 points to the Dragons and concede 4 tries and all of Pau (BP needed), Zebre (BP needed) and the Cheetahs win their matches.

The Sharks want to repeat the thrashing of the Dragons at home to be guaranteed of a second place overall and then hope that Benetton can beat Montpelier at home to end up in first place. In this case they would play the lowest placed team that finished fourth in their pool in Durban.

So all to play for this weekend. A win against the Dragons will be highly desirable. A close loss with a losing bonus point would still guarantee them a place but they may end up having to play away from home against one of the stronger teams.