2015/16 qualification update and Challenge Cup quarter-final previews
For immediate release: Monday 30 March 2015
Issued on behalf of EPCR by Mark Jones
Qualification for 2015/16 tournaments
The six highest-ranked clubs from both the Aviva Premiership and the Top 14 based on their finishing positions in the leagues will book their places in the 2015/16 Champions Cup. For the Guinness PRO12, the seven highest-ranked clubs will qualify with the proviso that at least one club from each of Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales is included.
Please find attached match previews, details of media opportunities and accreditation, as well as in-depth statistical information ahead of the Challenge Cup quarter-finals
The remaining 18 clubs from the Aviva Premiership, the Guinness PRO12 and the Top 14 who have not qualified for the Champions Cup will play in the 2015/16 Challenge Cup, along with two more clubs who will book their places from the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition.
The May play-offs for the 20th place in next season’s Champions Cup will include the seventh-ranked club from the Aviva Premiership or the winner of the Challenge Cup if from the Premiership and not already qualified.
The same principle applies to the Top 14, however, as there are no Top 14 clubs in this season’s Challenge Cup knockout stage, the seventh-ranked club will go into the play-offs.
To avoid fixture congestion in May, only the highest-ranked club not already qualified from the Guinness PRO12 will be included in the play-offs. As the PRO12 representation has been reduced from two clubs to one for this season only, the winner of the Challenge Cup – if from the PRO12 and not already qualified for the Champions Cup – will not take the place of the highest-ranked club.
So if the qualification cut was to fall today, Northampton Saints, Saracens, Bath Rugby, Leicester Tigers, Exeter Chiefs and Wasps would all book places in next season’s Champions Cup from the Aviva Premiership.
Sale Sharks, currently in seventh position, would go into the play-offs, but their place would be taken should either Gloucester Rugby, London Irish or Newcastle Falcons lift the Challenge Cup at The Twickenham Stoop on 1 May.
Based on present league standings, the seven PRO12 qualifiers would be: Glasgow Warriors, Ulster Rugby, Munster Rugby, Ospreys, Leinster Rugby, Connacht Rugby and Benetton Treviso, with Edinburgh Rugby taking the one play-off place.
As of now, RC Toulon, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Stade Francais Paris, Racing Metro 92, Toulouse and Oyonnax would secure the six places from the Top 14, with the play-off spot going to Montpellier.
Champions Cup play-offs
Saturday, 23 May
Match 1: Aviva Premiership (seventh-ranked club or Challenge Cup winner from the Aviva Premiership if not already qualified) v Guinness PRO12 (highest-ranked club not already qualified)
Home advantage to be decided by toss of coin
Saturday, 30 May
Match 2: winner of Match 1 v Top 14 (seventh-ranked club from the Top 14 if not already qualified)
Winner of Match 1 will have home advantage
NB To facilitate Rugby World Cup 2015, there will be no play-offs for the 2016/17 Champions Cup with the 20th place going to the winner of the 2016 Challenge Cup if not already qualified.
For the 2017/18 season and beyond, the play-off format will include four clubs with a second PRO12 club competing. If not already qualified, the winner of the Challenge Cup will take the place in the play-offs of the seventh-ranked club in the Aviva Premiership and Top 14, and will also take the place of the second PRO12 club if applicable.
Match pack previews and EPCR digital platforms
In-depth statistical previews of the four Challenge Cup quarter-finals will be sent to media during the week. For further information in advance of the knockout stage, log on to the digital tournament guide at www.epcrugby.com/guide and the tournament website www.epcrugby.com
