Worcester Warriors will make history when they take on South African side Lions in the 2022/23 EPCR Challenge Cup.
The draw, which was conducted in Dublin where the final will take place, sees Steve Diamond’s men face home and away games against Johannesburg-based franchise side Lions and Italian outfit Benetton Rugby in Pool B of the competition.
It will be the first time that Warriors have met South African opposition in a competitive match and the first time that they have faced Treviso-based Benetton in European competition although the sides did meet in a pre-season friendly in Italy four years ago.
Warriors have won 14 of their 15 matches against Italian opposition in the Challenge Cup with the sole defeat coming against Zebre in Parma seven years ago. Zebre have also been beaten twice, with the most recent victory coming in January this year, along with doubles over Amatori Catania (2005/06), Viadana (2006/07), GRAN Parma (2007/08), Petrarca Rugby (2008/09), Crociati (2011/12) and Rovigo (2012/13).
The 20 participating clubs were placed into three tiers in order to create two pools of ten, with clubs from the same league not to play against one another in the pool stages.
EPCR are now preparing the fixture schedule with an announcement of exact dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage to follow in due course.
The two home games are included in a 2022/23 Warriors Season Ticket which you can purchase here.
Round 1 – December 9/10/11
Round 2 – December 16/17/18
Round 3 – January 13/14/15
Round 4 – January 20/21/22
Round of 16 – March 31/April 1/2
Quarter-finals – April 7/8/9
Semi-finals – April 28/29/30
EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday May 19 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin