What emphatically is not working in this competition is the lukewarm attitude of many English and South African teams, which is a problem because their markets, along with the one in France, dominate what rugby’s power brokers have begun to call “the Atlantic timeline” (because they need a more accurate description than “northern hemisphere” or “Europe”).
It speaks to fundamental problems with the self-styled “best club competition in the world” – so is there a way to square this circle, and revitalise, or even ultimately replace, an event which as the original Heineken Cup had huge impact and cachet when it was created at the outset of professional rugby union, 30 years ago.
Marcus Smith looks dejected after Harlequins lose to Leinster (Photo: PA)
But a more intriguing clue to the solution lies in the plans for the first World Club Cup in two years’ time.
The most trailed line-up is eight teams coming through from the Champions Cup, joined by seven from Super Rugby Pacific (the best of New Zealand and Australia), and one from Japan Rugby League One – although The i Paper understands organisers are also looking at a 10-six split, or nine-seven.
If the stakeholders sign off the World Club Cup in the next few weeks, the tender process for the first semi-finals and final would start straight away.
1 – The number of English teams to make it through to the quarter-finals
And the most significant element could be the concerted big finish to the season.
But also, if it is a runaway success it might be an argument to do away with the Champions Cup pool stage that contributes to English frustration with clashes between club matches and England player release, while causing South African teams difficulties with travel.
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Form would be more rewarded if the likes of Bath, currently at the top of the Premiership, progressed to the end-of-season showpiece rather than qualifying from their efforts in the previous season, while the dynastical likes of Leinster and Toulouse would remain confident of being involved.
So competitions like the Champions Cup may need to adapt to stave off the threat.
It is more a lack of strength in depth, evident in benches stocked with lesser quality, whereas Leinster can afford star signings Jordie Barrett, RG Snyman and Rabah Slimani, and French clubs have bought top England operators like Owen Farrell, Jack Willis, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Nowell and Dave Ribbans.
Alternatively, we may see a growing divide or even schism in English club rugby, between those who want to spend big – the likes of Bath, Sale and Saracens – and the rest.
Jacques Raynaud, chief executive of EPCR since 2023, told The i Paper: “Apart from Toulouse, Leinster and maybe Crusaders, there are not many teams that have a really international, worldwide branding, with all due respect for their work and for their tradition.
“That’s the vision: it’s to answer that question which nobody knows.”
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