The United Rugby Championship (URC) has moved to clear up any confusion over which eight teams will qualify for next season\u2019s Investec Champions Cup.<\/p>\n
Usually, the qualification is rather straightforward with the top eight clubs at the end of the regular season, who have also progressed to the knockout stages, qualifying for the Champions Cup with the remaining eight then playing in the Challenge Cup.<\/p>\n
However, like the 2023\/24 season, there is a twist on the cards this time around.<\/p>\n
How Ulster can qualify for the Investec Champions Cup<\/p>\n
When the Sharks defeated Gloucester 36-22 in the 2024 Challenge Cup<\/a> Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Durban-based club sealed their qualification in the 2024\/25 Champions Cup<\/a> despite finishing 14th overall in the URC<\/a>.<\/p>\n This season, Ulster<\/a> could replicate that feat when they face Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao on Friday evening. Richie Murphy\u2019s side narrowly missed out on the knockout stages of the URC, finishing in ninth position and therefore fell short of qualifying for the Champions Cup next season. However, they have one more shot to do so against Montpellier.<\/p>\n \u201cNormally, the top eight teams in the final BKT URC table qualify for the following season\u2019s EPCR Investec Champions Cup,\u201d a statement from the URC confirmed.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, if a BKT URC team wins either the Investec Champions Cup or EPCR Challenge Cup, and has not already qualified through its league position, that club still earns a Champions Cup place under EPCR regulations. That qualification then comes from the BKT URC\u2019s allocation of eight places.<\/p>\n \u201cThis means there are scenarios where teams inside the top eight can miss out.<\/p>\n \u201cFor example, Ulster finished ninth in the BKT URC standings but will play in this weekend\u2019s EPCR Challenge Cup Final. If Ulster win the competition, they would qualify for next season\u2019s Investec Champions Cup, taking the BKT URC allocation place currently occupied by Connacht in eighth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Some bloke compared me to Putin\u2019 \u2013 Andy Goode lifts lid on semi-final \u2018backlash\u2019 and why Leinster have \u2018decent shot\u2019 of shocking Bordeaux-Begles<\/a><\/p>\n What it means for Connacht<\/p>\n Effectively, Ulster will be further rewarded if they defeat Montpellier and while that would initially mean that Connacht don\u2019t qualify for the Champions Cup next season for the time being, winning the URC could change things for Stuart Lancaster\u2019s men.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Connacht were then to go on and win the BKT URC Championship title, they would also qualify automatically for the Investec Champions Cup as URC champions,\u201d the statement clarified.<\/p>\n