Prem Rugby is on a mission to revolutionize the Champions and Challenge Cups, with a group of allies from France and the United Rugby Championship. They're aiming to convince European Professional Club Rugby to make some changes. But here's where it gets controversial... The English club owners and executives are discussing ways to refresh the format, which they believe is in need of a boost. The Prem, Ligue Nationale de Rugby, and the URC share this view, hoping to bring back the Champions Cup's former glory with more excitement and prestige. Insiders were surprised by EPCR chief executive Jacques Raynaud's defense of the tournament's format, despite criticism. Raynaud mentioned that the format and schedule are set until 2030, but Prem is determined to make a change. The main issue is the television deal with Premier Sports, which runs until 2027. Any changes before then would require the broadcaster's agreement, despite a potential reduction in matches. The Prem, France, and the URC want a competition with fewer teams, but the Irish provinces have historically been resistant to such reforms. The key question is: can they find a solution that works for everyone? And this is the part most people miss... The potential solution involves reducing the Champions Cup to 16 teams and playing the entire competition on consecutive weekends, which has been discussed before. However, the main sticking point is the television deal, and the question remains: can Prem Rugby convince Premier Sports to go along with their plans?
