The Leo Cullen verdict on rumoured Champions Cup shake-up plan

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has urged the EPCR to “protect” the Investec Champions Cup amid reports of a fresh shake-up to European club rugby’s flagship competition, as his side prepares to face Union Bordeaux Bègles in Saturday’s sold-out final in Bilbao.

English Gallagher PREM clubs are reported to be pushing a radical overhaul that would scrap the current pool stage in favour of a straight knockout format involving fewer teams.

It is the latest potential change for a tournament that has already undergone multiple structural revamps in recent years.

Cullen, who is bidding to guide Leinster to a fifth European title at San Mamés Stadium, made clear his affection for the competition at the stadium where Leinster last won the Champions Cup in 2018.

“It’s an incredible tournament to be part of,” he said ahead of the showpiece in Spain. “I hope the organisers, they protect it.”

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Investec Champions Cup

Leinster

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Full-time

Bordeaux

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The Leinster boss, who has lifted the trophy as both a player and coach, was speaking on the eve of a final that pits his side against the reigning champions in what promises to be a high-quality encounter between two of the form teams in Europe.

While the focus remains on the on-field battle, Cullen also touched on the evolving landscape of the competition, including the suggestion that South African teams are pondering leaving the tournament on the back of concerns around player load.

“The South Africans have added hugely to our domestic competition,” he said. “They’re still trying to figure out how to manage the problem of that. But they’ll get better at it.”

Bordeaux are seeking back-to-back titles with a star-studded backline, as Leinster aim to reclaim the crown they last won in 2018.

“We know it’s going to be a serious challenge, we are fully respectful of the Bordeaux team and what they’ve achieved in recent times,” Cullen said. “You want to be able to test yourselves against the best.”

Leinser Rugby: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Harry Byrne, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tom Clarkson, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Jack Conan, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (c)

Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Paddy McCarthy, 18. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Diarmuid Mangan, 20. Max Deegan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Jamie Osborne
Bordeaux-Begles

Union Bordeaux Bègles: 15. Salesi Rayasi, 14. Pablo Uberti, 13. Damian Penaud, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Maxime Lucu (c), 1. Jefferson Poirot, 2. Maxime Lamothe, 3. Carlü Sadie, 4. Boris Palu, 5. Adam Coleman, 6. Pierre Bochaton, 7. Cameron Woki, 8. Marko Gazzotti

Replacements: 16. Gaetan Barlot, 17. Ugo Boniface, 18. Ben Tameifuna, 19. Lachie Swinton, 20. Temo Matiu, 21. Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 22. Arthur Retiere, 23. Hugo Reus