The future of European club rugby has been a hot topic since European club rugby became a thing. Back in 2014, after a powergrab from English and French clubs, the 24 team Heineken Cup became the 20 team European Champions Cup.

In 2019, the now Heineken Champions Cup is under pressure again, with French and English teams (and Welsh!) fielding weakened teams for certain games, giving up on the competition at an early stage. While attendances are up, there is a feeling the current system is somewhat broken and needs tweaking.

h a decision expected to be announced in a matter of weeks.

According to a report by Robert Kitson in today's Guardian, the current preferred format change would see the tournament move to a competition of 18 teams with six pools of three, moving from the current structure of five pools of four. The top six from each of the Premiership, Top 14, and Pro 14 would qualify for the tournament and be put in opposite groups, avoiding meetings of teams in the same league as happens in each group currently.

Another big change in this proposed format would be money spinning two-legged semi-finals with home and away fixtures, a change likely welcomed by fans frustrated by the open draw "home country" system currently in place.


While there are other proposals on the table, including a 16 team competition, Kitson reports that this is the current preferred option.

It will be interesting to see the reaction from Ireland to this proposal.