Countries now battling to find their place in a new world order

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?

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.”