Duncan Casey: There is a solution if we want our old Champions Cup format back

Spectators are crying out for a return to a more traditional competition and this proposal delivers it effectively and fairly with 24 teams. The issue, as is often the case these days, is the rugby calendar

KNOCKOUT TIE: Leinster's Hugo Keenan takes on the Ulster defence. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

We all like to see Irish teams do well. But you will find few honest neutrals who can argue that a team should progress to the knockout stages of a competition after losing three out of four pool matches. That is the situation Ulster find themselves in following their win against Sale last Saturday, allowing them access to the knockouts despite an opening round 39-0 hockeying against Sale.

Ulster’s path to the round of 16 is emblematic of the problems with a competition format that is causing exasperation across the European rugby community. Despite the oft-repeated grievances about a race between teams that don’t play each other, the structure is unlikely to change in the near future. In theory, the current format makes sense for a number of reasons. Like many things, however, the practical application is rather different.