The English Premiership is exploring a shake-up of the Investec Champions Cup, with the French Top 14 and the URC understood to be aligned on the need for reform.
The Telegraph reports that Premiership Rugby executives are workshopping proposals aimed at refreshing a competition many feel has become bloated and diluted, and intend to take those ideas to European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR).
With the Premiership, Ligue Nationale de Rugby and URC sharing similar concerns, there is growing hope that changes could be driven through, despite EPCR having previously stated the current format is locked in until 2030.
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“We are dissatisfied,” a source told The Telegraph. “We are working on plans for reform, the motive of which we believe is shared across France and the URC. We want to work collaboratively with EPCR to make this better.
“We want something that sits properly between domestic leagues and international rugby. We want an elite and premium competition – and we think it is possible.”
The Champions Cup currently features 24 teams, with only eight eliminated after the pool stage. Critics argue the format lacks jeopardy, pointing to instances this season where sides such as the Bulls and Leicester Tigers reached the round of 16 with just one win.
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One option being discussed is reducing the tournament to 16 teams, potentially played across consecutive weekends either after the Six Nations or before Christmas to create greater momentum and prestige.
That model has been considered before, but previous attempts stalled due to disagreements between stakeholder leagues over qualification numbers. Any change would also require unanimous approval, something EPCR has historically struggled to secure.
Broadcasting arrangements remain a major hurdle, with the current TV deal running until the end of the 2026-27 season. However, upcoming rights negotiations could bring format reform firmly back onto the agenda.
Photo: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
