2013–14 European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup 2013/14 is the 18th edition of the European Challenge Cup, the second tier European Cup competition in rugby union. For sponsorship reasons it is called Amlin Challenge Cup. It involved 23 teams - 20 in the group stage and another three in the Knockout Round, the 2013/14 retiring early in the Heineken Cup. The contest begins on October 10, 2013, the final will take place on May 23, 2014 Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff instead. Titleholder is the Irish team Leinster Rugby.
Originally, the finale should have taken place in France. However, the Fédération Française de Rugby withdrew their application, due to the uncertainty as to whether the Stade de France would be available. After a re-tender by the organizers European Rugby Cup Cardiff finally got the contract.
- 4.1 seedings
- 4.2 quarterfinals
- 4.3 Semi-finals
- 4.4 final
Mode
All teams in the Aviva Premiership English, French Top 14 and the International Pro12, which did not qualify for the Heineken Cup will take part in the European Challenge Cup. In addition, four top-ranked teams from the Italian Campionato di Excellency as well as representatives of Romania and Portugal. Instead of the Portuguese selection of Spanish representative Olympus Madrid was originally intended, however in September 2013 withdrew from the competition.
The 20 participants in the group stage will be divided into five groups of four teams. The seeding order is based on the placement in the pan-European club ranking. Each team will play one home and one away match against the three group opponents. In the group stage will receive the teams:
- Four points for a win
- Two points for a draw
- A bonus point with four or more experiments
- A bonus point for a loss by seven points or less difference
For the quarter-finals to qualify the five group winners and there are also third - to fifth- best runners-up from the knockout round of the Heineken Cup 2013 / 14th The home game right in the quarter and semi-finals have those four teams that were most successful in the group stage. In case of equality decide ( in this order) the number of attempts, the points difference from all games, the reduced number of red and yellow cards and finally a coin toss. The losers from the Heineken Cup places will be allocated 5-7 automatically.
Draw
The non-qualified for the Heineken Cup teams were divided with four teams according to the European club ranking in four pots (in brackets the placement end of the previous season):
Group stage
- Group winners qualified for the quarterfinals
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Knockout round
Seedings
After the group stage to meet the five group winners and the third - to fifth- best runners of the Heineken Cup 2013/14 to each other.