Rugby: EPCR returns to a multi-pool format for European Cups from 2023-24

"EPCR confirms a return to a multi-pool format for 2023-24 season, agreed with the Leagues and Unions," announced the European body on 14/06/2023.

European competitions, which have hosted South African teams since 2022-23, thus return to their pre-pandemic format (four groups of six teams for the Heineken Champions Cup) which had changed from 2020-21 to a two-group format (12 clubs per group for the Champions Cup).

In detail:
• The 24 Champions Cup clubs will be split into four pools of six, while the 18 Challenge Cup clubs will be split into three pools of six.
• Each club will face four different opponents who will not be from their own league, home or away, during the group stage.
• At the end of the group stage of each of the two competitions, the four top-ranked clubs from each group will qualify for the Round of 16. Clubs that finish in fifth place in each Challenge Cup group will also qualify for the Round of 16.
• The top eight clubs from each of the three leagues (Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and BKT United Rugby Championship) will play in the Champions Cup.
• Of the 18…