European rugby chiefs to propose urgent format changes following the uproar from South African side the Bulls' decision to bring a reserve line-up to the Champions Cup quarter-final

European rugby organisers will urge clubs to accept an urgent change to the tournaments format, to avoid a repeat of the selection controversy last weekend – as they battle to secure a lucrative new TV deal.

The Champions Cup quarter-finals were marred by uproar over the decision by South African side the Bulls to bring a reserve line-up to face Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens. 

The Pretoria-based United Rugby Championship franchise will be investigated, but EPCR officials have recognised that the best course of action is to force through a vital amendment to the schedule, to remove the excuse for weakened line-ups to be named for knock-out games.

At present, the quarter-finals follow just a week after the last-16 round and given the presence of South African teams – since last season – the logistics have proved highly disruptive. Bulls head coach Jake White initially complained about difficulties with the flights over to the UK before going on to cite injury issues when he omitted several Springboks and other leading players.

It is understood that the EPCR hierarchy will step up efforts to persuade their member clubs and leagues to agree to a switch which allows longer between the last 16 and the blockbuster last-eight weekend. 

The message will be that participating clubs risk ‘losing millions’ by not maximising the ticketing, hospitality and sponsorship opportunities presented by these marquee fixtures. The problem is that clubs prefer the season to be split into blocks of cross-border and league fixtures.

The European authorities are extremely satisfied with the impact made by the inclusion of the South African teams, despite acknowledging the need to solve the long-haul logistical trouble which goes with their involvement. They are encouraged by higher viewing figures and online engagement, as well as related sponsorship deals. The arrangement will become further entrenched when – subject to various criteria – the South Africans become full EPCR stakeholders in the next year.

The Sharks from Durban are set to play their Challenge Cup semi-final at The Stoop – Harlequins’ ground in Twickenham – as they seek to tap into the South African rugby market in London. And the Cheetahs have had such success with hosting matches in Amsterdam that they have had to increase capacity there to meet demand. However, sources have revealed that EPCR are keen to improve recognition of their tournaments’ marquee status in their new southern out-post.

Negotiations about the format of the competitions will take place at a key juncture as European rugby officials seek to secure favourable terms for a new TV rights deal in the UK. It is understood that TNT have made an offer which EPCR have rejected – provisionally – as insufficient.

With Sky unlikely to compete for these rights, tournament organisers face a dilemma between the best possible income and the threat of becoming near-invisible if they agree a deal with an online streaming service. They are hoping that increased jeopardy this season will give them additional leverage, but there is an awareness that the sport rights market is saturating and declining.

Meanwhile, there is a desire within the EPCR hierarchy to explore the option of further expansion into new territory – with Spain identified as a new market with vast potential. 

The 2026 finals will return to the impressive San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, where the showpiece matches were staged so successfully in 2018, while moves are afoot to create a new Spanish franchise in Valladolid.

There is a new, ambitious governing body in Spain with grand designs on a future bid to host the World Cup and domestic matches in the country have attracted crowds of 25,000-30,000 – with a Spain versus Classic All Blacks fixture in Madrid attracting an attendance of 40,000 in 2022.

‘On paper Spain is a sleeping giant’,’ said one source. That is undoubtedly true – and an Iberians franchise in the Challenge Cup could open up a significant broadcast market.