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European regulation change will see players like Radradra line out with new clubs in 2019/20 finale

By Online Editors
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

European rugby officials have altered their regulations to enable players who have already played with one club during the pool stages of the 2019/20 Champions and Challenge Cup tournaments line out with another club in next month rescheduled knockout stages. 

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Last April’s European rugby quarter-finals were postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and with numerous players moving clubs in the traditional end of contract expiry over the summer, EPCR have altered their small print to accommodate the changes. 

It will mean at someone like Kyle Sinckler can try to win the Challenge Cup with Bristol despite having played for Harlequins in the 2019/20 Champions Cup. Similar applies with Sinckler’s new teammate Semi Radradra, who can now also play for Bristol even though he helped Bordeaux reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals earlier this year.  

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Former Scotland international Alex Grove guests on The Lockdown, the RugbyPass pandemic interview series

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Former Scotland international Alex Grove guests on The Lockdown, the RugbyPass pandemic interview series

A statement issued by EPCR ahead of the September 17-19 quarter-finals in both competitions read: “The 16 clubs which have qualified for the quarter-finals will be required to register their squads on or before Tuesday, September 1, and to ensure that clubs are able to select the strongest possible matchday squads in the current circumstances, there will be no limit to the number of players they can register.

“In order that scrums can always be contested, clubs must ensure that their updated squads include at least twelve players who are suitably trained and experienced in front row positions. 

“As a number of players have recently changed clubs, it has been decided on an exceptional basis to waive the rule which prohibits players from playing for different clubs in the same competition in the same season. In other words, a player who has already been selected in a matchday squad during the pool stage of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup or Challenge Cup will be eligible to play for his new club in the same competition during the knockout stage provided his registration is approved by EPCR and the relevant union.

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“In addition, and also on an exceptional basis, there will be no limit to the number of non-European players who can be selected in a matchday squad of 23 during the knockout stages of both tournaments.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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