Zach Mercer targeting silverware as Gloucester learn 2024/25 EPCR Challenge Cup group stage rivals

Just minutes after losing the Challenge Cup final to the Hollywoodbet Sharks back in May, Gloucester's star number eight Zach Mercer set the target of 'going one better' and lifting the trophy in 2024/25.

The Cherry and Whites were beaten 36-22 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by the South African side in last season's Challenge Cup final, in doing so also missing out on qualification for the Champions Cup having finished a disappointing ninth in the Gallagher Premiership to claim their place in the Challenge Cup again this season along with bottom of the table Newcastle Falcons.

Having reached the final last season, the ambitious Mercer said: "I want to get to that final again and I want to put this right? There's no doubt about that. We want to try and go that step further.

"When the off-season comes we'll attack it full-throttle and we'll try and go one more step next season."

Following the draw on Tuesday, the Cherry and Whites were last out the pot to be selected in Pool 3 along with competition debutants RC Vannes and their fellow Top 14 side Bayonne, Georgian side Black Lion and Edinburgh Rugby - who they both won away at in last season's group stage, and Welsh outfit the Scarlets.

The format of the competition remains the same this season, meaning all teams will play four matches, with the four best in each pool progressing to the Round of 16, where they will be joined by the fifth-placed club in each Investec Champions Cup pool.

The group stage matches will be against teams in the same pool, meaning Gloucester will play four of the five sides listed above, once, either home or away with the fixtures to be confirmed at a later date.

The pool stage matches will take place on the 6/7/8 December, 13/14/15 December, 10/11/12 January and 17/18/19 January.

The final will take placel just down the road at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on May 23.

Full 2024/25 Challenge Cup Pool Stage draw

Pool 1

Cardiff Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Toyota Cheetahs, USAP, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Zebre Parma

Pool 2

Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Section Paloise, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons RFC, Emirates Lions, Ospreys

Pool 3

RC Vannes, Black Lion, Aviron Bayonnais, Scarlets, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby