5 Things To Know About The 2025 EPCR Challenge Cup Final
5 Things To Know About The 2025 EPCR Challenge Cup Final
Lyon OU is on the hunt for its second Challenge Cup, while Bath hopes to end a decade-long drought. Here's what to know.
The batch of eight quarterfinalists that entered the EPCR Challenge Cup has dwindled to two final opponents.
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Both squads have proven they won’t back down, making last-minute moves to seal their semifinal victories.
A Challenge Cup win for Bath would mark its first European Cup win in 11 years, while Lyon OU is on the hunt for its second Challenge Cup title within the last five years.
Here are the top five things to know ahead of the exhilarating matchup:
Who Is Playing In The Challenge Cup Final?
Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby, or Lyon OU, from the French Top 14, league will face off against Bath Rugby from the English Premiership division. Lyon OU currently ranks eighth in the Top 14, while Bath sits atop the Premiership table.
How Did We Get Here To The Challenge Cup?
After completely missing out on the Challenge Cup quarterfinals last season, Lyon OU and Bath pushed their way into the final with unmatched grit and determination.
Lyon OU defeated the Ospreys in its quarterfinal round by a mere two points, 20-18, with the deciding factor coming from one extra conversion from Lyon OU.
The impressive performances from Lyon OU’s replacements made the difference, as Mickael Guillard scored a try and was named player of the match.
The semifinals saw a brutal clash between Lyon OU and Racing 92 in another tight match, but Lyon OU ultimately pulled away with a 29-15 win.
Racing 92’s captain, Owen Farrell, left the game early due to a head injury examination, which gave the team an arguably key disadvantage, but nonetheless, Lyon OU attacked and executed well.
Bath took on reigning Challenge Cup finalist Gloucester in its quarterfinal and left with a 61-26 beatdown, composed of nine tries and eight conversions. Bath was able to capitalize on errors from Gloucester in the first half, before a second-half surge from Bath left no room for recovery.
Edinburgh visited Bath in the semifinals, where a rocky start was settled by Bath in another late, but dominant, finish.
Bath sealed its name in the finals with a 39-24 thrashing of Edinburgh, thanks to Tom Dunn’s two tries and Finn Russell’s three conversions and one penalty.
When Is The Challenge Cup Final 2025?
The Challenge Cup Final will be Friday, May 23 at 3 p.m. ET.
Where Is The Challenge Cup Final?
Lyon OU vs. Bath will take place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The stadium also is home to the European Rugby Champions Cup Final, which will be played that Saturday.
How Can I Watch The Challenge Cup Final?
FloRugby is the official streaming partner for EPCR competitions in North America and U.S. Territories.
Fans can catch both finals live, as well as ongoing coverage of the Top 14, United Rugby Championship and Super Rugby Pacific throughout the season.
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FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.