Rugby Union: EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP European adventure is Brain teaser; Worcester v Montpellier.(Sport)

From: The Birmingham Post (England) | Date: October 22, 2005 | Copyright information

Byline: By Fraser Thomson

The question taxed rugby's greatest minds: How to make the second tier of European Cup rugby attractive to its participants? The solution was simple . . . mimic the top-flight competition.

And thus the new European Challenge Cup came into being. Gone was the old Shield tournament with its mis-matches that often pitched some of Europe's leading professional sides against plucky amateurs.

The essence of its appeal and potenti...

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