| Changes to European competitions | |||||
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 Connacht will qualify for the 2010-11 Heineken Cup if Leinster, Munster or Ulster win next year’s event. Under new rules, the winners of both the European Challenge Cup and the Heineken Cup will secure an additional place in the latter for a team from their country. With Ireland having three HEC spots guaranteed, this would mean Connacht would step up. Connacht can also qualify by finishing as one of the top three Irish sides in the Magners League. The annual play-off between the highest placed non-qualifying Magners League team and the third highest finisher in the Italian league has been discontinued. The winners of the European Challenge Cup will qualify for the following season’s Heineken Cup. Only the five pool winners will advance to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup from now on. The five pool winners will be joined by the three Heineken Cup teams that finish as third, fourth and fifth-best runners-up in their respective pools. |
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 June 2009 18:13 ) |  |
