Donal Lenihan: The Champions Cup has lost its magic — but Irish rugby still treats it with respect

The Champions Cup once gripped rugby supporters across Europe, but weakened squads, format changes and shrinking ambition have drained its energy

Munster's Alex Kendellen wins a line-out at The Rec. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho

It says everything about where European rugby sits right now that last weekend’s opening round of action snuck up on an unsuspecting rugby public almost unnoticed.

Suffice to say it’s the Champions Cup but not as we once knew and loved it. You can’t even call it European any more given the addition of the South African sides a few years ago.