The current strength of the Premiership does not warrant eight of its 10 clubs being involved in Europe's elite tournament.
There’s always conjecture around the Champions Cup but the best club competition in the world never fails to stir the emotions and this 30th anniversary could be its best year yet.
Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings has returned to the Gloucester squad to face Benetton on Saturday in the Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingsholm after missing the loss to Exeter Chiefs last week in the Gallagher Premiership.
RG Snyman was branded the worst signing ever following Munster’s Champions Cup at the hands of Northampton Saints last weekend.
Toulouse-bound Blair Kinghorn scored a double on his farewell outing but his last home match for boyhood club Edinburgh ended in disappointment as his late error gifted visitors Benetton a 24-22 victory.
Gallagher Premiership heavyweights Leicester Tigers have confirmed the departure of nine players at the end of the season.
Freddie Steward will occupy a very role different from his usual position as the Leicester full-back when he makes his return to Dublin on Friday 20 days after his infamous England red card.
Richard Wigglesworth has made six changes to his Leicester team for Friday night’s Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 clash at home to Edinburgh following last weekend’s Gallagher Premiership success over Bristol.
New marquee signings Anthony Watson and Handre Pollard are set to make their Leicester debuts this Saturday when the defending Gallagher Premiership champions visit Saracens 15 weeks after they dramatically defeated the Londoners in the 2021/22 final at Twickenham.