Overview
- EPCR confirmed the 24‑team structure and current scheduling are locked in until 2030, with no plan to cut the number of English qualifiers.
- Executives cite stronger metrics, including double‑digit growth on YouTube highlights, a claimed rise in worldwide audience from about 50 million to roughly 100 million since 2019, and expectations of record in‑stadium totals.
- To limit churn, a 42‑player season squad cap has been reintroduced per club with five injury changes permitted.
- Calendar tweaks are under review, with EPCR seeking an October kickoff, considering separating the round of 16 and quarter‑finals, and working with the URC to ease South African travel without granting back‑to‑back home pool fixtures.
- Players, club figures and commentators argue the format encourages weakened selections and lopsided pool games, citing heavy defeats for rotated Sale and Edinburgh sides and round‑of‑16 qualification for Bulls and Leicester with only one win.