Champions Cup set for radical overhaul as French clubs back major format change
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Overhaul.
French clubs have backed plans for a radical overhaul of the Champions Cup that could see the competition reduced from 24 teams to just 16.
The proposed format would scrap the current pool stage and introduce knockout rugby from the last 16, with two-legged ties in the round of 16 and quarter-finals before neutral-venue semi-finals and a final.
Under the plans, the URC, Top 14 and PREM would each receive five qualification places, with the remaining spot potentially going to the Challenge Cup winners or the league containing the reigning European champions.
Ligue Nationale de Rugby president Yann Roubert has publicly backed the move towards a smaller competition.
“We are in favour of having a more elite European competition, maybe by coming down to 16 clubs rather than 24, so we have only very high-level matches,” Roubert said.
“That can be discussed within EPCR, because it is obviously within the EPCR that it must be decided with our English partners and the URC.”
The change could have significant consequences for the Irish provinces, with the URC potentially having just five qualification places compared to the eight currently available.
It would also reduce the number of European weekends from seven to six.
Roubert accepts that shrinking the competition would inevitably leave more teams without Champions Cup rugby.
“It’s less than eight, but I think that even if it will leave two clubs out, for the good of rugby, it seems to be the right solution to have this more elite competition.”
The future of the South African teams in Europe could also form part of discussions.
The Bulls, Sharks and Stormers have competed in the Champions Cup since 2022, but Roubert stopped short of guaranteeing their long-term involvement.
“For the moment, they haven’t made it to the semi-finals,” he said.
“We will have to talk within EPCR to see about the future.”
The existing Champions Cup arrangements run until 2030, although changes could potentially be introduced earlier if an agreement is reached between the relevant parties.
