Champions Cup rugby reboot: no pools, FA Cup-style and play it after Christmas

The global calendar remains a mess and rugby’s power-brokers need to get a grip after a controversial weekend

FIRM AND FAST: Northampton's win in Pretoria against the Bulls was one of few eye-opening results from Round 2 of the Investec Champions Cup: Pic: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images

IT is still in there somewhere. The kernel of a great competition, albeit visible only in fleeting glimpses. The shimmering class of Toulouse’s Antoine Dupont, a gripping win for Northampton in Pretoria, the celebrations at the final whistle in Italy after Benetton had downed the English league leaders Bath, the “superman” try by La Rochelle’s Jack Nowell. Stick it all together and an Investec Champions Cup “best of” highlights reel remains a hugely attractive proposition.

If only that was the sole prerequisite. Because a glance beneath the bonnet of what should be the Rolls Royce of club rugby tournaments reveals an increasing number of misfiring parts, not all triggered by the expansion of Europe to accommodate South Africa’s leading sides. Fail to fix them as a matter of urgency and a once fantastic tournament will end up as little more than a wistful memory.