1. Leinster (qualify as top of Irish pool)
2. Sharks (qualify as top of SA pool)
3. Cardiff (qualify as top of Welsh pool)
4. Ulster(1/4 of next highes)
5. Ospreys(2/4) of next highest)
6. Scarlets (3/4 of next highest)
7. Munster(4/4/ of next highest)
8. Connacht
9. Edinburgh (quality as top of Scotalian pool)
10. Dragons
11. Glasgow
12. Benetton
13. Zebre
14. Stormers
15. Lions
16. Bulls

Yep, in the above example (no effort put into ordering, just as an example!!) we would make the knockout stages of the URC, but not qualify for Champ Cup (and no auto qualification if we do win).

According to the Craggy lads, this system for ERC qualification will be in place for 2 years and will revert to a top 8 only unless there is unamious agreement to keep it 'as is'. Think we would still keep the pools.

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro14/no-...ampionship-1.4594374 and it seems that IRFU were very aware of the situation and voted against it.

I am reviewing this again and in theory, a team could win the Grand Final and not qualify for Europe. Or am I reading this wrong???

It seems that the Irish teams especially are at a disadvantage, all over. I do find it strange that in calculating who tops the pool we look at total league points, and not the intra-pool points. Like, we could have a dire interpro season, lose to all the other provinces, but still pick up enough points outside the pool to qualify automatically.

Also very interesting to note that there is not going to automatically be a Scottish or Italian team in the league.

The new league has been announced for the “pro16” which will be now the United Rugby Championship, and I am happy to see the new teams coming from South Africa however the qualification for the champions cup has gone backwards, now if you qualify 1st in your regional pool you will automatically go through, so the Irish/ Welsh/ SA/ Scottish & Italian teams are pooled together. That’s unfair as we have Munster, Leinster and Ulster, the top teams in last year’s tournament! If I am reading it right then Edinburgh could rest their players for the Irish/ SA/ Welsh matches and concentrate on beating Glasgow & the Italian sides and not worry about the position in the overall table.