Gloucester set for Biarritz battle

Former champions Gloucester will face France's Biarritz in the first of the second-tier European Challenge Cup quarterfinals when the clubs meet at Kingsholm on April 4, organisers announced Thursday.

English side Gloucester, who won the Challenge Cup in 2006, are the only side in this season's last eight who've yet to appear in a final of the European Cup, the continent's premier club Rugby Union tournament.

Wasps, previous winners of both European Rugby Cup (ERC) events, face last season's European Cup winners, Leinster, when they welcome the Irish province to Adams Park on April 5.

That day also sees the all-French clash between Perpignan and Toulouse at Stade Aime Giral.

Bath, the pool stage No.1 seeds, and Stade Francais complete the quarterfinal action with a match at the English club's Recreation Ground on April 6.

European Challenge Cup quarterfinals:

Thursday, April 4:

Gloucester (ENG) v Biarritz (FRA)

Venue: Kingsholm

Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT)

Friday, April 5:

Wasps (ENG) v Leinster (IRL)

Venue: Adams Park

Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT)

Perpignan (FRA) v Toulouse (FRA)

Venue: Stade Aime Giral

Kick-off: 21.00 (19.00 GMT)

Saturday, April 6:

Bath (ENG) v Stade Francais

Venue: Recreation Ground

Kick-off: 14.00 (13.00 GMT)

European Challenge semifinals:

Matches to be played on the weekend of April 26-28

Semifinal 1: Perpignan or Toulouse v Bath or Stade Francais

Semifinal 2: Wasps or Leinster v Gloucester or Biarritz

European Challenge Cup final:

Date: Saturday, May 17

Venue: Aviva Stadium

Kick-off: TBC

AFP