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Season so far
Tournament record
Lyon will be seeking to make it four wins from four in the EPCR Challenge Cup this season as they welcome Benetton Rugby to Matmut Stadium de Gerland on Friday night.
Benetton, meanwhile, will be aiming to secure back-to-back wins after they triumphed 23-9 at home to Dragons in Round 3.
The sides have never faced each other in the Challenge Cup but were in the same pool in the Heineken Champions Cup in 2019/20, with each team winning their home fixture in that campaign.
The Pool B clash kicks off at 20:00 (UK & Irish time) and will be available to watch on beIN SPORTS.
Other key facts
- Lyon could match their longest winning run in the Challenge Cup with victory against Benetton (W4 between December 2014 and October 2016).
- Five of Benetton’s six wins away from home in the Challenge Cup have come in France, the most recent one being against Stade Français Paris in December 2020 (44-20).
- Lyon come into this fixture against Benetton having recorded the most turnovers won (23) as well as the most turnovers conceded (39) in the EPCR Challenge Cup this season.
- Lyon winger Davit Niniashvili has recorded more carry meters than any other player in this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup (323); he also ranks first for offloads (10) and third for defenders beaten in the competition (12).
Lyon confirmed their place in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 with their fourth win in four matches as they beat Benetton Rugby 25-10 on Friday night.
Tries from Hamza Kaabeche and Ethan Dumortier in addition to a penalty from Leo Berdeu gave Lyon a 15-10 lead at half-time in the Pool B contest at Matmut Stadium de Gerland.
The visitors’ responses came from an Ignacio Brex try on 17 minutes, converted by Leonardo Marin, who also kicked a penalty three minutes before the break.
Slick rugby from @LeLOURugby 🤙
Wrapping up the points in style! #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/OnkNOMDLd2
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) January 21, 2022
In the final eight minutes of the game, with Benetton reduced to 14 men after Gianmarco Lucchesi was sent to the sin bin, Lyon’s Lima Sopoaga added a penalty before Xavier Mignot capped their victory with a classy try.
Lyon’s win means they have equalled their longest-ever winning run in the Challenge Cup.
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