Organisers of the BKT United Rugby Championship have announced changes to their European qualification system which they say will now offer 'full meritocracy'.
In a change from the previous qualification method, all eight top-ranked teams from the league table will qualify for the Investec Champions Cup with the remaining sides taking their place in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
The winners of the regional Shields will no longer be awarded a place into the Champions Cup and the primary way to qualify from the URC is to finish in the top eight after the 18-round regular season.
It's a decision that looks like it may benefit Irish and South African sides, and based off last season's URC league table, Cardiff who qualified for the Champions Cup this season as last season's highest ranked Welsh side, would miss out.
Last season's top eight consisted f four Irish provinces, three South African sides and one Scottish: Leinster, Ulster, Stormers, Glasgow, Munster, Bulls, Connacht and Sharks.
Martin Anayi, CEO of the URC explained the reasoning behind the changes and said: "Returning to straight meritocracy as a qualification method for the Investec Champions Cup will further turn up the dial on the competitiveness of our league.
"The debate between representation and meritocracy in our league has always been a complex discussion among our stakeholders. However, when it comes to creating the most competitive arena for our teams, meritocracy is a proven method for achieving this.
"In 2017 we brought in full meritocracy over representation in the PRO12 and this lifted the level of competition throughout the league.
"When launching BKT URC against the backdrop of the pandemic it was prudent to choose the representative qualification route and now after the review our stakeholders have opted to return to meritocracy."
The other point of interest from the qualification changes has seen the URC confirm that should a team from the league win the Champions or Challenge Cups without finishing among the top-ranked teams in the league table, they will receive a place in the Champions Cup.
In such an event, the team that finishes eighth in the league will be placed into the Challenge Cup.
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