The bizarre EPCR rule that could cost the Lions a Champions Cup place

The Lions are in a weird situation right now. Even though they finished 7th on the URC log, which should normally be more than enough for a spot in next season’s Champions Cup, their place is not yet guaranteed.

It all comes down to tonight’s Challenge Cup final in Bilbao and some complicated EPCR rules.

If Montpellier beat Ulster Rugby tonight, everything stays normal. The Lions are safely in the Champions Cup in 7th place.

If Ulster win the Challenge Cup tonight, they take Connacht Rugby’s 8th-place spot. The Lions still qualify in 7th.

If Ulster win tonight and Connacht somehow win the entire URC title over the next few weeks, then the Lions get bumped down to the Challenge Cup, despite finishing higher than both teams.

That last one is unlikely, but it’s still possible.

Most Lions supporters will be cheering for Montpellier tonight to kill any stress early. If Ulster do win, the next few weeks could get nervous as everyone waits to see how far Connacht go in the URC play-offs.

It’s a strange set of rules, but that’s the reality the Lions are dealing with and they'll have all eyes on the EPCR final tonight.