Line-up confirmed for the 2018/19 Challenge Cup

European Challenge Cup have announced their lineup for the following season, with nineteen clubs with as many as 12 European titles between them confirmed for what promises to be a highly-competitive 2018/19 Challenge Cup tournament.

Former winners such as Harlequins, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Stade Français Paris and Pau will feature when the Pool Draws for next season's Champions Cup and Challenge Cup are made on 20 June in Lausanne as the first steps on the road to the 2019 Newcastle finals are mapped out.

Russia's Enisei-STM have booked a place after retaining their Continental Shield title, however, Heidelberger RK, who were losing Continental Shield finalists in Bilbao, are ineligible to compete in next season's Challenge Cup following a decision by EPCR.

On the basis that Dr Hans-Peter Wild would be in a position to influence or to control the management or performance of two clubs in the same competition, EPCR decided that the German club could not participate. A replacement club will be announced shortly.

CHALLENGE CUP 2018/19

Premiership Rugby (5): Sale Sharks, Northampton Saints, Harlequins, Worcester Warriors, Bristol Bears

PRO14 (5): Benetton Rugby, Ospreys, Connacht Rugby, Zebre Rugby Club, Dragons

TOP 14 (8): La Rochelle, Pau, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Bordeaux-Bègles, Agen, Stade Français Paris, Perpignan, Grenoble

Continental Shield (2): Enisei-STM, TBC