URC set to change geographical Champions Cup qualification system

The move would require unanimous approval from the 16 participant clubs in the five-nation championship.

Thu, 11 May, 2023 - 16:27

Simon Lewis

The United Rugby Championship could be set to abandon its geographical ‘Shield’ system and return to a merit-based Heineken Champions Cup qualification criteria for next season, URC boss Martin Anayi has suggested.

The move would require unanimous approval from the 16 participant clubs in the five-nation championship but URC chief executive Anayi said on Thursday there was a high likelihood that the league’s eight qualification spots for Europe’s top-tier competition would come from the leading eight finishers in the regular-season table.