RUGBY UNION

Heineken Champions Cup: Plan for smaller pools and one-legged ties

New format could include four pools of six teams, with two sides from each qualifying competition in each pool
EPCR will rubber-stamp the structural changes at board meetings around this weekend’s final
EPCR will rubber-stamp the structural changes at board meetings around this weekend’s final
DAN SHERIDAN/SHUTTERSTCOK

The Heineken Champions Cup will return to smaller pools next year, but will ditch home and away match-ups under new plans.

The competition has been criticised heavily by players, coaches and fans for its confusing and unwieldy “super pools” format in recent years. For the past three seasons it has featured 24 teams split into two pools of 12 — which has proven difficult to market or follow.

As The Times has previously reported, the competition organiser, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), has been keen to revert to a smaller pool stage, akin to the days before the Covid pandemic and like the old Heineken Cup.

This year’s final Champions Cup final will take place in Dublin between La Rochelle and Leinster
This year’s final Champions Cup final will take place in Dublin between La Rochelle and Leinster
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAR/AFP

EPCR will rubber-stamp this structural change at board meetings around this weekend’s Champions Cup final, between La Rochelle