The pool stage reaches its conclusion in the Challenge Cup this weekend, with each of the five participating Guinness PRO14 sides knowing there is still all to play for with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Zebre, Edinburgh and Scarlets all remain in the fight for the knockout stages but know they must deliver close to their best in Round 6 to force their way ever closer to the competition’s showpiece in Marseille. Four of those teams are battling for one of three runner-up spots with the winners of their respective pools already decided, while Dean Ryan’s Dragons could yet top their pool if results go their way. FRIDAY Dragons v Enisei STM 20:00 Rodney Parade The Newport-based outfit enter their final group game knowing that a bonus-point victory over their lowly Russian rivals will guarantee their place in the competition’s last eight. And the omens sit in their favour - Enisei have the lowest tackles success rate (78%) this season, while they have conceded the most penalties (66) and yellow cards (7), and are so far winless in Pool 1. 🗨️“You can’t just expect to turn up, put your boots on and think that is a guaranteed four tries and a bonus point win..."Back row Keddie warns Enisei will be difficult test... 👇▶️ https://t.co/rjA8qsiwXY🎟️ https://t.co/twrn41NlSE#BringYourFire🔥 pic.twitter.com/ax9j1KgIjs— Dragons 🏉 (@dragonsrugby) January 16, 2020 Furthermore, the visitors are still searching for their first ever away win in the competition, while Dragons have won 14 of their last 17 home Challenge Cup clashes and have lost to Enisei just once before, in the first of their five meetings. Dragons will be keen to overcome last week’s disappointing 42-14 defeat at Castres, and realistically should become the first Guinness PRO14 side to qualify for the quarter-finals on Friday night. SATURDAY Cardiff Blues v Calvisano 13:00 Cardiff Arms Park With their fate largely out of their hands, Cardiff Blues will be determined to record a bonus-point victory over their Italian opponents and boost their hopes of progressing towards the tournament’s latter stages. The two-time champions enter their Round 6 tie third in Pool 5, two points shy of Pau who will go through with a win over already-qualified Leicester Tigers on Saturday. Hoping the Englishmen can do them a favour, John Mulvihill will be confident his team can do the business against Calvisano, who travel to Arms Park with five Challenge Cup defeats from five this season. Blues have won all seven of their previous European games against the Top12 side and will be eager to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in all competitions. Zebre v Bristol Bears 14:00 Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Buoyed by hugely impressive wins over Cheetahs and Stade Francais in their last two outings in the Championship and the Challenge Cup, Zebre will be hoping they can build on their recent surge of form by squeezing into the quarter-finals. The Italians lie second in Pool 4, one place behind English opponents Bristol Bears who have already booked their place in the next round.
