Challenge Cup Round 3 Preview

The European Challenge Cup heads into Round 3 this weekend, and we still got three unbeaten sides in the competition, two hails from the Premiership and one from the Top 14.  

Let's dive in and take a look at how this weekends fixtures look and how the pools have been shaping:

The Weekend’s Fixtures:

All this weekend;s fixtures will be played on Friday and Saturday, Edinburgh vs Wasps is certainly the game to watch tomorrow, while Saturday’s must watches are Toulon vs London Irish Bristol Bears vs Stade Francais. 

Here Is How The Pools Are Shaping Up:

Welsh outfit Dragons are sitting comfortably at the top of the table after two wins and two try bonus points, but they do face Worcester in the next two game weeks. The Warriors are closely being chased down by Castres ad they will be favoured to pick up max points against Enisei.  

After another impressive domestic victory, @WorcsWarriors turn their attentions back to #ChallengeCupRugby 💪@JamieShillcock has been a star so far with a classy hat-trick in Round 1 👏👏👏

Can they secure the W when they take on @dragonsrugby?? ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/nds5ePARIQ

— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) December 2, 2019

There are three big guns in this pool and there is no surprise to why it is so tight going into week three. Toulon currently have the upper hand and welcome London Irish this weekend, while Scarlets will be hoping to pounce in that second place position should London Irish fail to collect points in France.

🔥 @TomStephenson13 never fails to bring pace, agility and creativity to this @LiRFC side 👊

The centre couldn’t resist getting in on the act as his side ran in tries for fun in Round 2️⃣

A key man ahead of the clash at @RCTofficiel 🔑#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/ILfX5srT4v

— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) December 3, 2019

Pool 3 is another extremely tight one and it can still go to any three of the four teams. Bordeaux is arguably in the driving seat as they face Agen, who have not picked up a point yet, while Edinburgh and Wasps will battle it out for two weeks back-to back. 

THAT high step from @MalakaiFekitoa was something to buzz about in the previous round of the @ERChallengeCup! 🏃‍♂️🔥

Can @WaspsRugby sting @EdinburghRugby when they cross the border for Round 3⃣ on Friday night? 🐝#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/DjpWVKsLdr

— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) December 4, 2019

After two games it seems like Bristol might have this group wrapped up, they host Stade Francais this weekend which is a massive game but one feels that if they are able to get the win then this group could well be there's.  

Leicester Tigers have beaten Cardiff and Pau already in the group stage and now will have a double bite at Calvisano. They are likely to walk away with maximum points in both encounters and that should make them the Pool 5 winners with ease.