Champions Cup chief wants Irish provinces to challenge

Champions Cup boss Vincent Gaillard may be French but he does not want to see European rugby’s premier club competition dominated by clubs from the Top 14 or England’s Aviva Premiership.

English league winners Saracens begin the defence of their European title next week when the 2016-17 season gets under way for its third season since evolving from the Heineken Cup in 2014. The Londoners beat Parisians Racing 92 in last May’s final, the fourth in succession not to feature a Guinness Pro12 club.

No PRO12 teams reached last season’s elimination rounds and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) director general Gaillard believes strong Irish provinces, and their large numbers of travelling fans, are needed in the knockout stages if the Champions Cup is to thrive.