Heyneke Meyer Reveals What European Rugby Must Change to Make the Champions Cup Better

Former Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer believes European rugby needs to reconsider the structure and format of its premier club competition to ensure it reaches its full potential. Although the Champions Cup is widely regarded as a major tournament, he believes there is room for improvement to make it more competitive and appealing to supporters.

Meyer believes the Champions Cup should set the global standard for club rugby, bringing together the strongest teams and delivering high-quality matches throughout the tournament. However, he feels that changes to its organisation could help strengthen its reputation and improve the overall experience for clubs, players and fans.

The competition features leading sides from England, France and the United Rugby Championship, creating opportunities for teams from different leagues to compete for one of European rugby’s biggest honours. Despite its prestige, questions remain about whether the existing structure consistently delivers the intensity and competitiveness expected from an elite tournament.

One concern surrounding the format is the qualification system, which has previously allowed teams to advance to the knockout stages despite recording limited victories. Critics argue that this can reduce the pressure on clubs during the pool stage and make some matches less decisive. SportsNewsIreland +1

Meyer’s perspective highlights the importance of finding the right balance between participation, competitiveness and commercial appeal. A carefully designed format could make every fixture more meaningful while ensuring that qualification rewards consistent performances against strong opposition.

Any major reform, however, would require agreement among the competition organisers, participating leagues, clubs and broadcasters. Each stakeholder has different priorities, making changes to the tournament’s structure a complicated process.

European Professional Club Rugby has already introduced adjustments for the 2026–27 season. These include changes to knockout qualification and the attacking bonus-point system, with the aim of making pool matches more competitive. The tournament will retain its 24-team structure for the time being. SA Rugby +1

Ultimately, Meyer’s view raises an important question about the future direction of European club rugby. The Champions Cup has an established reputation, but maintaining its position among the world’s leading club competitions requires continued evaluation and improvement.

The challenge is to create a structure that rewards excellence, increases the significance of every match and keeps supporters engaged from the opening round to the final.

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