2003–04 European Challenge Cup
The 2003–04 European Challenge Cup (known as the Parker Pen Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 8th season of the European Challenge Cup, Europe's second tier club rugby union competition below the Heineken Cup. A total of 28 teams participated, representing seven countries. This was the first year of the competition following the introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales. With the reduction of Welsh teams from nine to five, and with all teams participating in the 2003-04 Heineken Cup, there were no Welsh teams in the 2003–04 Parker Pen Challenge Cup.
| 2003-04 Parker Pen Challenge Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Countries | England France Ireland Italy Romania Scotland Spain |
| Tournament format(s) | Knockout |
| Date | 5 December 2003 – 22 May 2004 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Teams | 28 |
| Matches played | 57 |
| Attendance | 225,213 (3,951 per match) |
| Tries scored | 323 (5.67 per match) |
| Top point scorer(s) | Olly Barkley (Bath) (120 points) |
| Top try scorer(s) | Simon Danielli (Bath) (6 tries) |
| Final | |
| Venue | Madejski Stadium, Reading, Berkshire |
| Attendance | 13,123 |
| Champions | NEC Harlequins (2nd title) |
| Runners-up | Montferrand |
The competition began when Rotherham hosted Narbonne and Leonessa hosted Montferrand on 5 December 2003 and culminated in the final at the Madejski Stadium in Reading on 22 May 2004.
As in the previous season, the competition was organised in a knockout format. Teams played each other on a home and away basis, with the aggregate points winner proceeding to the next round. The final was a single leg. For the second time, a third tier tournament was held - the European Shield. This was contested between the first round losers from the European Challenge Cup. As there were only 28 teams involved, the 2 "best" 1st Round losers were reprieved and proceeded to the 2nd Round.
The defending champions, England's London Wasps, did not have a chance to defend their crown because they qualified to play in the Heineken Cup. NEC Harlequins claimed the narrowest of victories over Montferrand in the final and picked up their second piece of European Club silverware.