Newcastle Falcons will start their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign away to French club Lyon on Saturday December 6, with pool fixtures now confirmed for the 2025-26 season.

The Falcons’ trip to Matmut Stadium de Gerland kicks off at 5.30pm UK time (6.30pm French) and will be streamed live on EPCR TV.

Round two sees Newcastle hosting South African side Lions on Saturday December 13, with the Kingston Park clash starting at 5.30pm and being shown live on Premier Sports.

The new year brings another home game when French club Perpignan visit Tyneside on Saturday January 10, kicking off at 1pm on Premier Sports.

And the pool stage comes to a climax on Friday January 16 when the Falcons travel to Newport, taking on Welsh side Dragons in an 8pm kick-off which is live on EPCR TV.

The top four sides in all three pools of six will go through to the round of 16, where they will be joined by four teams dropping down from the Investec Champions Cup.

Newcastle Falcons’ EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures (all times UK)

Sat Dec 6: v Lyon (away, 5.30pm, EPCR TV)
Sat Dec 13: v Lions (home, 5.30pm, Premier Sports)
Sat Jan 10: v Perpignan (home, 1pm, Premier Sports)
Fri Jan 16: v Dragons (away, 8pm, EPCR TV)

Round of 16 – April 3/4/5
Quarter-finals – April 10/11/12
Semi-finals – May 1/2/3
Final – Friday May 22 (San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao)

EPCR Challenge Cup pools

Pool 1: Ospreys, Zebre Parma, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, US Montauban, Black Lion, Connacht Rugby.

Pool 2: LOU Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons RFC, Benetton Rugby, Lions, USAP.

Pool 3: Toyota Cheetahs, Cardiff Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Racing 92, Stade Français Paris, Ulster Rugby.

If clubs are tied on points the differentiating criteria are (in order): points difference, tries scored, and, if still equal, drawing lots.

For the round of 16 the pool winners will be ranked 1 to 3, the second-placed clubs will be ranked 4 to 6, the two highest-ranked third-placed clubs will be ranked 7 and 8, the qualifying Investec Champions Cup clubs will be ranked 9 to 12, the remaining third-placed club will be ranked 13, and the fourth-placed clubs will be ranked 14 to 16.

The round of 16 will be 1 v 16, 2 v 15, 3 v 14 and so on.