The first round of the EPCR Challenge Cup is upon us. What better time for a special EPCR edition of Stat Attack.
Both teams have some quality form in the group stages of EPCR competitions in recent years. Ospreys have won each of their last three games in the pool stages, their longest such run since winning all six games in the pool stages of the 2016/17 campaign – they have also won six of their previous seven pool stage home matches in the EPCR Challenge Cup specifically.
Benetton have also won each of their last three matches in the pool stages of EPCR competitions, their longest such run since winning their first four in the 2000/2001 Challenge Cup – Benetton led at half-time in all four of their pool matches last season.
Double up tackling was a theme for the Ospreys as well last year. They were one of just two teams to commit 2+ opposition tacklers from 60%+ of their carries in the pool stages of last season’s Champions Cup and also had the third highest tackle success rate of any side, while Benetton Rugby had the highest carry dominance rate of any team in last year’s Challenge Cup pool stages.
There were two lineout leaders in the pool stages for both teams last year. Adam Beard claimed more lineout takes than any other player in the pool stages of last year’s Investec Champions Cup, while Benetton’s Federico Ruzza claimed more lineout takes than any other player in the pool stages of last season’s EPCR Challenge Cup.
