Back in the 2001/02 season, Saracens scored no fewer than 63 tries in their Challenge Cup pool campaign. In fact, the Welsh region’s impressive tally of tries from their first round win over the Falcons and doubles over Grenoble and Lyon is only the 11th highest in pool history in the Challenge Cup.
The highest try scorers in pool matches in the Challenge Cup (there were three seasons when there was a knock out tournament) are as follows:
1. Saracens 63 (2001/02)
2. Bordeaux-Begles 52 (2001/02)
3 = Gloucester Rugby 47 (2001/02)
Gloucester Rugby 47 (2005/06)
5 = Newcastle Falcons 44 (2005/06)
London Irish 44 (2008/09)
7 = Dax 42 (2001/02)
Perpignan 42 (2012/13)
9. Sale Sharks 40 (2001/02)
10. Sale Sharks 39 (2010/11
11 = Wasps 38 (2013/14)
Ospreys 38 (2016/17)
Eight clubs have gone through the season unbeaten on their way to carrying off the title:
Bourgoin – 1996/97
Colomiers – 1997/98
Sale Sharks – 2001/02
Wasps – 2002/03
Gloucester Rugby – 2005/06
ASM Clermont Auvergne – 2006/07
Northampton Saints – 2007/08
Gloucester Rugby – 2014/15
The Ospreys’ maximum total of 25 points from their five games to date in Pool 2 has guaranteed them a home quarter-final, and the Welsh region now look set to be confirmed as No 1 seeds going into the knockout stage.
Brive and the Newport Gwent Dragons are preparing for a Pool 3 shoot-out. If Brive win at home in Round 6, they will go through to the quarter-finals for the 12th time in their history. However, if the Dragons come away with a victory and deprive Brive of a bonus point, then they will seal their place in the knockout stages for the third year in a row.
In Pool 4, wins on Saturday for Bath Rugby (18 points) and Cardiff Blues (17 points) over Pau and Bristol Rugby respectively would see both clubs qualifying for the last eight. The Blues beat Bristol at Ashton Gate in Round 1 and will have home advantage in the return game
Since the format of the tournament was changed in 2014/15, the lowest points total for a best runner-up has been 17.
The Ospreys dominate the tournament scoring charts at the moment with Dan Biggar on 67 and Keelan Giles at the top of the try scorers list with 7.
