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22 Jan 2026
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22 Jan 2026
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Diarmuid Barron, of Munster Rugby, makes a break during the Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park in December 2023
THE date, kick-off time and broadcast details have been confirmed for Munster Rugby's EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture in April.
Munster Rugby will travel to Sandy Park to take on the English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, April 4, 12.30pm in the first fixture of the day.
This is the first EPCR Challenge Cup meeting, the sides have faced each other five times in the Investec Champions Cup, most recently in 2023/24 when Exeter claimed victory.
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Exeter secured home advantage for the last 16 Chellenge Cup fixture with two pool wins and a draw in the pool stages, while Munster enter following a fifth-place finish in their Investec Champions Cup pool.
Munster lost three of their four pool fixtures, including a disappointing defeat to Castres in their final pool fixture at Thomond Park on Saturday night last.
The round of 16 fixtures will feature five French, three Irish, three Welsh, two English, two Italian and one South African club.
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)
Friday, April 3
Match 8: Connacht Rugby (8) v Hollywoodbets Sharks (9), Dexcom Stadium (20.00)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / Supersports / FloRugby /EPCR TV
Saturday, April 4
Match 7: Exeter Chiefs (7) v Munster Rugby (10), Sandy Park Stadium (12.30)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby /EPCR TV
Match 1: Montpellier Hérault Rugby (1) v USAP (16), Septeo Stadium (13.30)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby / EPCR TV
Match 2: Benetton Rugby (2) v Cardiff Rugby (15), Stadio Comunale di Monigo (18.30)
EPCR TV / S4C / beIN Sports / FloRugby
Match 3: Ulster Rugby (3) v Ospreys (14), Affidea Stadium (20.00)
Premier Sports / S4C / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby /EPCR TV
Match 6: Newcastle Red Bulls (6) v Stade Rochelais (11), Kingston Park (20.00)
EPCR TV / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby
Sunday, April 5
Match 4: Stade Français Paris (4) v Dragons RFC (13), Stade Jean Bouin (13.30)
beIN SPORTS / FloRugby / EPCRugby.TV
Match 5: Zebre Parma (5) v Section Paloise (12), Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (18.30)
EPCR TV / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby (21:00)
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 (21:00)
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