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18 Jan 2026
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18 Jan 2026
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Jack Crowley, of Munster Rugby, is tackled by Greg Fisilau, left, and Dan Frost, of Exeter Chiefs, during the Investec Champions Cup Pool fixture at Sandy Park in December 2023 | PICTURE: Sportsfile
MUNSTER Rugby face a trip to Sandy Park to take on Exeter Chiefs at the last 16 stage of the Challenge Cup following the completion of pool fixtures in both the Champions and Challenge Cups on Sunday evening.
Clayton McMillan's Munster side missed out on a spot in the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup following their disappointing 29-31 home defeat to Castres at Thomond Park on Saturday.
As a result of finishing in fifth spot in Pool 2 of the Champions Cup, Munster dropped down to the last 16 stage of this season's Challenge Cup competition.
Munster were ranked 10th of the teams to make the knock-out stages and have been pitted against the seventh ranked English Premiership side, the Exeter Chiefs, in the round of 16.
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The game is an away fixture for Munster and will be played on the weekend of April 3-5.
Should Munster overcome the Chiefs at Sandy Road, they would face either Benetton Rugby or Cardiff at the quarter-final stage of the competition.
Competition organisers say the exact dates and kick-off times of the Round of 16 fixtures will be announced as soon as possible.
Before then Munster return to action in the URC this Friday night when hosting the Dragons at Virgin Media Park in a crucial fixture, live on TG4, 7.45pm.
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Round of 16 – April 3-5
R16 1: Montpellier Hérault Rugby (1) v USAP (16)
R16 2: Benetton Rugby (2) v Cardiff Rugby (15)
R16 3: Ulster Rugby (3) v Ospreys (14)
R16 4: Stade Français Paris (4) v Dragons RFC (13)
R16 5: Zebre Parma (5) Section Paloise (12)
R16 6: Newcastle Red Bulls (6) v Stade Rochelais (11)
R16 7: Exeter Chiefs (7) v Munster Rugby (10)
R16 8: Connacht Rugby (8) v Hollywoodbets Sharks (9)
NB The clubs ranked numbers 1 to 8 will have home venue advantage
Quarter-finals – April 10-12
QF 1: Winner R16 1 v Winner R16 8
QF 2: Winner R16 2 v Winner R16 7
QF 3: Winner R16 3 v Winner R16 6
QF 4: Winner R16 4 v Winner R16 5
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage
Semi-finals – May 1-3
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 4
SF 2: Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 3
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage
2026 EPCR Challenge Cup Final – Friday, May 22; San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
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