Challenge Cup quarter-final ties, times and dates revealed after wins for Ulster, Sharks and Connacht

The draw for the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup has been confirmed, with Clermont Auvergne’s clash with Ulster the highlight.

Elsewhere, the Sharks are the number one seeds and they will take on fellow United Rugby Championship side Edinburgh in the last-eight.

There is another Anglo-Welsh clash for the Ospreys, who dispatched Sale Sharks on Saturday, as they face Gloucester next weekend.

Finally, Italian outfit Benetton will host Connacht after the Irish province overcame Pau in the last Challenge Cup round-of-16 tie.

Sunday’s action

Ulster came from behind to earn a 40-17 victory over 14-man Montpellier and book their place in the last eight of the Challenge Cup.

The visitors went into the half-time break 17-7 down as tries from Paul Willemse and Aubin Eymeri helped Montpellier surge into the lead, but Will Addison touched down just before the half-hour mark to claw them back into the contest.

The major turning point came just after half-time as try-scorer Willemse saw red for a high tackle on Addison. Ulster took advantage of the extra man as Robert Baloucoune, Scott Wilson, David McCann and Stuart McCloskey all went over to set up a clash with Clermont in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, the Sharks scored seven tries as they cruised to a convincing 47-3 win over Zebre at Kings Park Stadium.

Tiff Eden slotted a penalty to give the Italian side an early lead but that was as good as it got as they failed to add to their score.

Vincent Tshituka flew over the whitewash for the first try of the game and Werner Kok and Corne Rahl scored two more to give Sharks a commanding first-half lead.

They showed no mercy after the break as Aphelele Fassi, Phepsi Buthelezi, Ethan Hooker and Curwin Bosch tries secured a comfortable victory.

Edinburgh and Ospreys among winners as home teams continue Challenge Cup sweep

In the final game on Sunday, Connacht made it two Irish sides in the last-eight as they secured an impressive triumph over Pau.

It was a thrilling clash littered with tries and two were scored in the opening 10 minutes as Sacha Zegueur and Dave Heffernan traded efforts.

Cian Prendergast then went over for the visitors, but the French outfit would lead 20-12 at the interval following Zegueur’s second try and two Joe Simmonds penalties.

Although Shayne Bolton responded for Connacht in the second period, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi touched down and Simmonds added a drop-goal to open up an 11-point buffer.

It looked a long way back for the away side, but scores from Caolin Blade, Bundee Aki and Prendergast earned a superb win for the Irishmen.

Challenge Cup quarter-final draw

Gloucester (2) v Ospreys (7) on Friday, April 12 at 20:00 BST
Sharks (1) v Edinburgh (8) on Saturday April 13 at 13:30 local (12:30 BST)
Clermont Auvergne (4) v Ulster (12) on Saturday, April 13 at 13:30 local (12:30 BST)
Benetton (3) v Connacht (11) on Sunday, April 14 at 13:30 local (12:30 BST)

READ MORE: Gloucester survive late scare against Castres to secure Challenge Cup quarter-final spot