• Plans under consideration involve 18 teams in six pools of three • Sides from Premiership, Pro 14 and Top 14 would be kept apartChanges to the structure of the Champions Cup are being considered with some stakeholders keen to reduce the competition to 18 teams. This could free up sufficient space in the packed calendar for money-spinning home and away semi-finals, as has long been the case in football’s Champions League. Rugby union: talking points from the weekend’s Champions Cup action Read moreThis format has yet to be agreed but the idea is believed to be attracting more support than a rival proposal to cut the field to 16 teams. Many Premiership sides have chosen to field weakened sides in the Champions Cup this season, however, and it is widely acknowledged the Challenge Cup, for teams who fail to qualify for the top-tier tournament, needs reinvigorating. We are discussing whether there might be potential for change or improvement but if the desire is to stay with a 20-team Champions Cup that’s what we’ll do.

Source: The Guardian December 16, 2019 19:00 UTC