Two decisive performances set the stage for the 2025 EPCR Challenge Cup Final.
Bath overpowered Edinburgh to keep their European title hopes alive, while Lyon shut down Racing 92 in a clinical all-French clash. Both clubs will now face off in Cardiff on 23 May in what promises to be a heavyweight showdown.
- Edinburgh 24 – 39 Bath Rugby
- Lyon 29 – 15 Racing 92
Here are all the results and highlights from the Challenge Cup semi-finals:
BATH SURGE PAST EDINBURGH TO REACH CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
Edinburgh 24 – 39 Bath Rugby (HT: 10–12)
Bath powered into the Challenge Cup final with a commanding 39–24 win over Edinburgh at Hive Stadium, keeping their domestic and European double hopes alive. The English Premiership leaders outscored their hosts six tries to three, led by hooker Tom Dunn’s brace and strong finishes from Alfie Barbeary, Niall Annett, and Guy Pepper. Sam Underhill opened the scoring, while Finn Russell added nine points from the tee to guide Bath through a tense second half. Edinburgh showed flashes of brilliance, including tries from Mosese Tuipulotu and Ali Price, as well as a second-half penalty try that briefly gave them a 17–12 lead. But the Scottish side ultimately couldn’t contain Bath’s forward dominance and relentless pressure in the final quarter. With the win, Bath advance to the Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff on 23 May, where they’ll face Lyon.
EDINBURGH
- Tries: Tuipulotu (18’), Penalty Try (42’), Price (64’)
- Conversions: Thompson (19’, 65’)
- Penalties: Thompson (37’)
BATH RUGBY
- Tries: Underhill (8’), Dunn (30’, 53’), Barbeary (59’), Annett (75’), Pepper (77’)
- Conversions: Russell (9’, 54’, 76’)
- Penalties: Russell (63’)
LYON OVERPOWER RACING 92 TO BOOK CHALLENGE CUP FINAL BERTH
Lyon 29 – 15 Racing 92 (HT: 10–8)
Lyon punched their ticket to the Challenge Cup Final with a commanding 29–15 win over Racing 92 at Matmut Stadium, sealing a return to the European final three years after their 2022 title. In a semi-final that began with more kicking than cutting edge, it was Lyon’s forward power, tactical precision, and the reliable boot of Léo Berdeu that proved decisive in the second half. Baptiste Couilloud sparked the match into life with a clever blindside move to set up Vincent Rattez for the opening try in the 28th minute. Racing responded with a maul-driven effort by Diego Escobar, but Tristan Tedder’s missed kicks left them trailing 10–8 at the break. Lyon pulled away after halftime, first through a bruising finish from Beka Saginadze (53’) and then with Berdeu keeping the scoreboard ticking. Racing momentarily threatened a comeback when Kléo Labarbe finished a sharp counterattack, narrowing the gap to 20–15. But the visitors faded late, undone by handling errors and breakdown penalties. With Berdeu finishing 7 of 9 off the tee and Lyon’s pack asserting dominance, the hosts shut down Racing’s late hopes. The final whistle confirmed a trip to Cardiff, where Lyon will face Bath on 23 May in the 2025 Challenge Cup Final.
LYON
- Tries: Rattez (27’), Saginadze (50’)
- Conversions: Berdeu (28’, 51’)
- Penalties: Berdeu (24’, 47’, 62’, 67’, 72’)
RACING 92
- Tries: Escobar (35’), Labarbe (54’)
- Conversions: Tedder (55’)
- Penalties: Tedder (22’)
(highlights coming soon)
FINAL OVERVIEW
Bath and Lyon now prepare to meet in the 2025 Challenge Cup Final, with silverware and momentum on the line heading into the business end of their respective domestic seasons.
Both sides showed control, power, and depth in their semi-final wins—setting up a thrilling final in Cardiff on 23 May.
Who impressed you most in the semis? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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