Massive changes for Champions Cup qualification announced and the PRO12 wins

The European Professional Club Rugby has announced some sensible changes for the Champions Cup.

From next season, the team that finishes seventh in the Guinness PRO12 will qualify automatically for the Champions Cup. EPCR is changing the qualification criteria from 2017/18 on and the PRO12 is getting a guarantee on the extra slot. The Aviva Premiership and French Top 14 will have to make do with the six qualification places. In another change, the top seven from the PRO12 will qualify, irregardless of what country they are from. That means, for example, if a team from Italy does not finish in the top seven they do not get into the next season's Champions Cup competition. The 20th and final slot will go to the Challenge Cup winners, adding some relevance and winning motivation back to the second tier competition. The changes will come into effect next season. Right now, Ireland has three guaranteed Champions Cup participants for 2017/18 - Munster, Leinster and Ulster. Connacht will be hoping to join their fellow provinces but must first overcome Northampton Saints and a playoff final, on the May 26-28 weekend, if they are to do so.