🏉 European CHALLENGE Cup - Who makes the Quarters and who will win?!

Not as big of a competition as the Champions Cup, but still an exciting tournament. Last year the side I support, Gloucester, were marginally beaten by Stade Francais and I think this year will be the year. Although they didn't top their pool with some outrageously good performances from Pau - I think they'll take it all the way.

Here is the Quarter Final line ups, and my predictions on who will be seen in the Semis;

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Pau vs Stade Francais

I knew that Pau were a strong side and we'd probably be seeing them progress through to the Quarters, but I didn't expect Pau to qualify with the highest points tally (29) out of all the teams. Maybe that's due to having the walkovers of Zebre and Agen in Pool 3 - but they have to be given credit as they did the double over Gloucester in the pool stages, and that's something not a lot of teams would be able to do at the moment. The reigning champions Stade Francais struggled to qualify, and were almost beaten at home by, domestically, 12th placed London Irish. I don't think there's going to be much contention for this match and Pau will win convincingly.

My Prediction - Pau

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Edinburgh vs Cardiff Blues

A tough match to call if I'm honest. Edinburgh and Cardiff both sit 4th in their respective Pro 14 conferences and qualified for the Quarters with almost the exact same points tally and points difference. I think, with Edinburgh being at home, they will eventually win but Cardiff will give them a good run for their money, and on their day could just about win this matchup.

My Prediction - Edinburgh

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Connacht vs Gloucester

I was so happy that Gloucester drew Connacht as travelling to Newcastle or Edinburgh would not be an easy task. Connacht haven't been playing well domestically this season, having won the Pro 12 two years ago (in the 2015/16 season) they now sit 5th in their conference having only won 4 matches from 13. Gloucester are the complete opposite domestically and sit in the Top 4 of the Aviva Premiership above the likes of Bath, Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints. They have been scoring for fun in this competition and I don't think that's going to end anytime soon. Gloucester will smash Connacht. I think Gloucester will make it to the final again (probably playing Pau) but this time take the spoils (having marginally lost to Stade Francais last year).

My Prediction - Gloucester

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Newcastle Falcons vs Brive

The second best qualifier in Newcastle Falcons vs the worst in Brive. Not much contention and Brive will have no chance of travelling to Kingston Park and taking the win. Not to mention that Newcastle Falcons notched up a points difference of 107 in their pool, albeit with relitvely easy opponents in Ensei-STM, Bordeaux and the Dragons. Expect this to be a high scoring game, and although Newcastle are playing well in the Aviva Premiership I think their only real chance of qualifying for this competition next year is to win it.

My Prediction - Newcastle Falcons

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Feel free to give me your thoughts!