Countries now battling to find their place in a new world order
The Rugby Paper|April 09, 2023
THE Heineken Champions Cup has become bigger. It has more teams taking part than before the pandemic and the presence of South Africa has added weight. But has it become better?
Countries now battling to find their place in a new world order

The South African franchises left Super Rugby to join the United Rugby Championship, their route to the Champions Cup. What they left behind has been turned into a competition involving five sides from New Zealand and Australia and two from the Pacific islands, although, looking at the first seven rounds, competition is perhaps not the right word.

Similarly, Champions is stretching it for what used to be called the Heineken Cup. The club that finishes eighth out of 11 in the Gallagher Premiership will again qualify for it, reward for a success rate some way below 50 per cent.

The quarter-finals are being played this weekend, the Easter holiday complicating travel arrangements which had to be made in a rush because the fixtures were not confirmed until last Sunday evening. The short notice meant that the Aviva Stadium was little more than half full for Leinster’s Friday night match against Leicester because the upper tiers were not used.

The former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris, now involved in the media, said that broadcasters were not allowed to mention during Leinster’s last 16 match against Ulster that their quarter-final would be on the Friday night.

“People who were watching Leinster did not know what day the game was going to be on the following week,” said Ferris. “You would think they would have it in the calendar, like if Leinster win they play on the Friday, just so people can organise travel arrangements and book restaurants. This is not 15-20 years ago. We’ve got to wake up and really look after our fans and our clubs and be able to give them time. The logistics of things do not happen overnight.”

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 09, 2023-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 09, 2023-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE RUGBY PAPERAlle anzeigen
England show who's No.1
The Rugby Paper

England show who's No.1

ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.

time-read
1 min  |
September 15, 2024
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
The Rugby Paper

Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it

THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
The Rugby Paper

Looking to go one step beyond this time around

NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
The Rugby Paper

Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin

ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
The Rugby Paper

Time for Borthwick to prove his worth

HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
The Rugby Paper

Barrington ready to power up the Mob

RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024
Skivington keen to build identity
The Rugby Paper

Skivington keen to build identity

GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024
Roebuck targets England success
The Rugby Paper

Roebuck targets England success

WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
The Rugby Paper

Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving

TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
The Rugby Paper

Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals

DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 15, 2024