European Challenge Cup
The
European Challenge Cup in
rugby union, known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003, is the sister competition to the
Heineken Cup.
It is competed for by teams from
England,
France,
Wales,
Ireland,
Scotland,
Italy, and
Romania on a knock-out basis.
England,
France,
Wales,
Ireland, and
Scotland set their own criteria for qualification for the
Heineken Cup. All the clubs that do not qualify for the
Heineken Cup enter the European Challenge Cup.
Wales have not always had a team in the competition due to complexities arising from club mergers.
Italy enters 4 clubs: those finishing 3rd and 4th in the Super 10, and the winners of playoffs between 5th and 8th, and 6th and 7th.
Romania does not enter the
Heineken Cup and their strongest team goes straight into the European Challenge Cup.
There have been many changes in format as well as name.
In 1996 there were 24 teams from England, France, Italy, Romania, Scotland and Wales divided into 4 groups of 6. Eight teams went on to the knock-out stages. The final was an all French affair with Bourgoin beating Castres to win the first shield.
In 1997 there were 8 groups of 4 teams. Colomiers continued the French dominance of the European Shield, defeating Agen convincingly in the final.
In 1998 there were 3 groups of 7 teams with the national Spanish and Portuguese teams added in. Once again, a French team was triumphant, with Montferrand beating holders Bourgoin in the final played in Lyon.
In 1999 there were 7 groups of 4. Pau eventually beat Castres to become the fourth French side to lift the trophy.
In 2000 for once there was no change in format. NEC Harlequins finally ended the French dominance of the European Shield, defeating RC Narbonne after extra time in an epic final.
In 2001 there was a new sponsor and a name change. The new 'Parker pen shield' saw 32 teams divided into 8 groups of 4 competing for the title. For the first time there were two Spanish club teams. Sale Sharks emerged victorious, coming from behind to defeat Pontypridd at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.
In 2002 the league format was abandoned and the tournament became a knock-out competition.
London Wasps continued their excellent season with a 20-point victory over
Bath Rugby in the renamed Parker Pen Challenge Cup final at Madejski Stadium, Reading. The name '
Parker Pen Shield was now applied to a reprechage knock out tournament for those teams that did not qualify for the second round of the Challenge Cup.
In 2003/4 NEC Harlequins won the cup with a stunning last-second victory over Montferrand at Reading's Madejski Stadium.
Sale eased to victory in the 2005 final 27-3 over a dissapointing Pau side.
In 2006, the tournament witnessed its greatest final to date, when Gloucester edged out London Irish 36-34 after extra time.
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Diagram showing how qualification is obtained for Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup. |
There has been yet another change in format for the new season's competition. It will now be run on a pools plus knock-out basis and will be composed of 20 teams. Teams have been drawn into pools of four (five pools of four) and will play home and away matches.
The winners of each pool and the three best runners up will qualify for the quarter-finals. The semi-finals will be one-off matches played at home venues and the final at a neutral venue.
The new pool format will replace the previous season's knock-out structure and the European Shield tournament.
Pool 1 â€"
Arix Viadana,
Narbonne,
Northampton Saints,
Bristol ShogunsPool 2 â€"
Agen,
London Irish,
Overmach Rugby Parma,
PauPool 3 â€"
Gloucester,
Bayonne, BucureÅŸti,
ToulonPool 4 â€"
Border Reivers,
Brive,
Newcastle Falcons,
l'AquilaPool 5 â€"
Connacht,
Montpellier,
Worcester Warriors,
Amatori CataniaThe current holders are English club Gloucester, who defeated London Irish 36-34 to win the 2006 European Challenge Cup.
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Official site (in English)*
Official site (in French)*
Unofficial European club rankings
