3 simple changes that could rescue shambolic Champions Cup

Extra.ie​

01-05-2025

So here we are, on the final lap of the European Champions Cup, and the theme surrounding the competition continues to be what a shambles it all is.
Not a great narrative for the bumbling organisers, EPCR, or the chief sponsors, Investec – the South African finance giants who are said to be having serious second thoughts about their involvement.
You would not blame them based on the past few seasons. While the finals have been high quality, much of what preceded those deciders was pure dross and it has led to constant hankering for the glory days of the European Cup between 2000 and 2012. Leinster's Rocky Elsom on the charge in the 2009 final, the period between 2000 and 2012 was when the European Cup was at its best. Pic: INPHO/Graham Stuart
The process leading to the demise of this once-great competition, driven by the desire of the French and English clubs to gain more control, has been well documented and what we have been left with is a total mess.
A mish-mash pool stage that is confusing for supporters and does not eliminate enough teams; too many weak sides allowed into the competition leading to numerous soulless blow-outs in conjunction with teams opting out of the competition early on and resting frontline players; an inequitable seeding system that allows some teams to play home games all the way to the final (Leinster) while others are sent on the road despite winning all their pool games (Toulouse). Toulouse won all their pool games but were still sent on the road throughout the knockout stages. Pic: Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP
Throw in the off-Broadway television coverage that, in excitement terms, is a million miles away from the buzz that used to be generated by Sky Sports and you have a pretty rancid concoction that utterly fails to engage the wider public and only truly grabs the rugby public and media in the latter stages.
Leinster's struggle to sell tickets for tomorrow's semi-final clash with Northampton at the Aviva is a case in point — it is their third home knockout game in a row for Leo Cullen's side and the first two were won 62-0 and 52-0 against Harlequins and Glasgow respectively. Garry Ringrose of Leinster runs in to score his side's fifth try during the 62-0 rout of Harlequins at Croke Park. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
So, it's fair to say the Champions Cup has fallen a long way from what it once was and is in a particularly bad place. The good news is it would not take a whole lot to fix it — if the EPCR can finally summon up some good sense.
Three simple steps would go a long way to sorting this mess out…
1 Dump the South Africans
Having South African teams compete in the 'European' Cup has never felt right, they are far better suited to the United Rugby Championship (URC). That is how they South Africans feel also, they are fully committed to the URC and have energised a competition that was, for so long, the problem child. The Stormers taking on Toulon in the Champions Cup, the South African sides had no interest in the competition and none made the knockout stages. Pic: INPHO
It is a long haul to and from South Africa but for the URC, teams work extended trips into their schedule to play several games and enjoy the touring experience.
There is none of that with the Champions Cup, long haul flights for one-off games is a chore for everyone involved and the lack of South African interest in this tournament is emphasised by the fact not one of their teams made the knockout stages
The best thing to do now is call it quits — you would not hear too much complaining from South Africa, they would welcome the financial and fixture savings and would still have the URC and their own Currie Cup to keep them engaged.
John Kelly celebrates his try for Munster against Gloucester in 2003, the pool stages of the Champions Cup have lost the drama they used to carry. Pic: Sportsfile
2 Four groups of four
Less is more. There is a dire need for fewer mismatches in this competition and reducing the teams from 24 to 16 would ensure better contests. Ditch the confusing cross-pool format and go with a simple four groups of four teams.
You could take the best six teams from the URC, best six teams from the Top 14 and the best four from the English Premiership. That would immediately remove a lot of the cannon fodder outfits currently allowed in the competition.
With the French-driven restriction that forces the entire competition to be played off in eight weekends, they need to be used wisely — unlike the protracted toothless knockout stage that exists at present. Damian Penaud of Bordeaux goes over for a try against Munster, going with four groups of four would mean only taking the four best Top 14 teams. Photo: Getty
The pool stage would take six weekends and would include the return of the hugely popular December back-to-backs. And the final two weekends would be held for the semi-finals featuring the four pool winners and the final.
It would be some scrap to top the pool and only the best teams would make it to the knockout stages. With the level of intensity increased by the reintroduction of proper jeopardy, the competition would immediately become more attractive to sponsors.
3 Properly neutral semi-finals
The system whereby teams play semi-finals in a 'neutral' venue in their own country is a farce when it comes to Leinster. Their designated 'neutral' grounds of Aviva Stadium and Croke Park are familiar venues situated close to their core Dublin fan-base. Even though no rules are being breached, it still feels like a stitch-up. RG Snyman of Leinster scores a try at the Aviva against Bath. The Aviva has become a home ground for Leinster rather than a 'neutral' semi-final venue. Pic: Getty
The solution is to nominate semi-final venues at the start of the season, the way they do with the final. And, in the interests of spreading the gospel, these games should be staged in Portugal or Spain, two countries where rugby is noticeably growing in popularity.
The semi-finals could be played one after the other to ensure a full house. Flights to Spain or Portugal would not break the bank, travel agents would undoubtedly do special deals and, mindful of the need for supporters to book at short notice, the EPCR could reduce ticket prices accordingly.
The European Cup is a great competition, with a great history, and should be the elite tournament for elite teams in the northern hemisphere. It has lost that aura, but there is a way to get it back.