American Marconi Wireless News - Leinster's Cullen wants Champions Cup to be 'protected' after format change reports

English newspaper The Telegraph claimed on Tuesday Prem clubs wanted to replace the pool stages of the tournament with a straight knockout stage and reduce the teams involved to 16.

The Champions Cup has experienced various changes in its 30-year history but currently has 24 sides, a record high, competing in four pools before the last 16.

"It's an incredible tournament to be part of," Cullen told reporters before Saturday's final against holders Bordeaux-Begles in Bilbao, Spain.

"I hope the organisers, they protect it," the 48-year-old, who has won the tournament four times as a coach and player, added.

Further doubt has been cast over the competition after the South African Rugby Union announced last Saturday it was reviewing the tournaments its teams are involved in due to worries about player welfare.

Four outfits from the Rainbow nation have been involved in the Champions Cup, and second-tier Challenge Cup, since 2022 having joined the United Rugby Championship, with teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, two years earlier.

"The South Africans have added hugely to our domestic competition," Cullen said.

"They're still trying to figure out how to manage the problem of that.

"But they'll get better at it," he added.

Cullen's province have travelled to Bilbao eyeing a fifth Champions Cup crown, and a first triumph since lifting the trophy in the Basque city in 2018.

Bordeaux-Begles and their star-studded backline including France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey are defending their title having reached this year's final with a perfect run of results this season.

"We know it's going to be a serious challenge, we are fully respectful of the Bordeaux team and what they've achieved in recent times," Cullen said.

"You want to be able to test yourselves against the best," he added.

T.Ward--AMWN