SPOTLIGHT: The Challenge Cup\u2019s knockout stages are finally here as the remaining sides battle it out in the Round of 16.<\/p>\n
The Sharks have a realistic chance of making a deep run in the Challenge Cup and are very much still part of the European picture. This weekend could define how big that role becomes.<\/p>\n
JP Pietersen\u2019s side moves into the knockout stage after missing out on Champions Cup qualification on points difference.<\/p>\n
They have a tough fixture against Connacht in Galway, a team that has dominated recent meetings.<\/p>\n
The Sharks have won just one of their five meetings.<\/p>\n
Connacht v Sharks \u2013 Dexcom Stadium<\/p>\n
The knockout stage kicks off in Galway with a first-ever EPCR Challenge Cup clash between URC rivals. Connacht arrive with confidence after a strong domestic showing and are chasing a maiden title in their 14th knockout appearance. Standouts include Sam Gilbert, who topped the pool stage for points and conversions, and Paul Boyle, their leading try scorer.<\/p>\n
The Sharks, meanwhile, drop into the competition after finishing fifth in their Champions Cup pool. As defending champions, they bring pedigree, but face a stern test away from home against a Connacht side determined to make history.<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 4<\/p>\n
Montpellier v USAP \u2013 Stade de Septo<\/p>\n
An all-French encounter sees top seeds Montpellier host USAP. Two-time champions Montpellier were flawless in the pool stage, collecting maximum points and building strong momentum. Currently fifth in the TOP 14, they look well placed for another deep run.<\/p>\n
USAP, however, will be eager to respond after being shut out in their last domestic meeting, adding extra edge to what promises to be an intense clash.<\/p>\n
Exeter Chiefs v Munster \u2013 Sandy Park<\/p>\n
A heavyweight showdown between two former Champions Cup winners. Exeter secured home advantage with a strong pool stage, while Munster enter after finishing fifth in their Champions Cup pool.<\/p>\n
The sides have a competitive history, with Exeter edging their most recent meeting, setting up another high-quality encounter.<\/p>\n
Benetton v Cardiff \u2013 Stadio Monigo<\/p>\n
Benetton host Cardiff in a repeat of the 2023 quarter-final, which the Italian side won. They come into this clash in red-hot form after topping their pool with four wins from four.<\/p>\n
Cardiff, who qualified with two home victories, face a major challenge away against one of the competition\u2019s most dynamic attacking teams.<\/p>\n
Newcastle Red Bulls v Stade Rochelais \u2013 Kingston Park<\/p>\n
Stade Rochelais travel to face Newcastle for the first time. The French giants drop down from the Champions Cup and bring significant pedigree as two-time winners.<\/p>\n
Newcastle, seeded sixth after winning three of four pool matches, will look to make home advantage count against one of the tournament favourites.<\/p>\n
Ulster v Ospreys \u2013 Affidea Stadium<\/p>\n
A familiar URC battle sees Ulster host Ospreys. Ulster topped their pool to secure a strong seeding, while Ospreys scraped into the knockouts but bring recent pedigree, having reached the quarter-finals in the past two seasons.<\/p>\n
Expect a tight, physical contest between two well-acquainted sides.<\/p>\n
Sunday, April 5<\/p>\n
Stade Fran\u00e7ais Paris v Dragons \u2013 Stade Jean Bouin<\/p>\n
The 2017 champions Stade Fran\u00e7ais welcome Dragons RFC to Paris. The hosts arrive in strong domestic form, sitting third in the TOP 14 and carrying momentum from three pool-stage wins.<\/p>\n
Dragons, meanwhile, will look to build on their qualification and push for a rare deep knockout run.<\/p>\n
Zebre Parma v Section Paloise \u2013 Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi<\/p>\n
The Round of 16 concludes in Italy as Zebre Parma host Pau. Zebre impressed with three pool wins, showing clear improvement this season.<\/p>\n
Pau, currently third in the TOP 14, drops down from the Champions Cup and brings quality and experience. Their last meeting was decided by a single point, suggesting another close contest is on the cards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SPOTLIGHT: The Challenge Cup\u2019s knockout stages are finally here as the remaining sides battle it out in the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":508078,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[5903,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-508077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-rugby","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/508077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=508077"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/508077\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/508078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=508077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=508077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=508077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}