sports
Weakened Leicester show why away sides need Champions Cup miracles
Visiting teams have won two of 24 last-16 ties, so it is no surprise players needing post-Six Nations rest skip trips
TL;DR
- Home teams have dominated the Champions Cup last 16, winning 22 out of 24 matches.
- English clubs like Leicester are prioritizing domestic finishes over Champions Cup ties, leading to weakened squads and player rest.
- The current Champions Cup structure is set until 2030, with a proposed change in 2028 to include teams from Super Rugby Pacific and Japan.
- Player welfare is a concern due to the increasingly physical nature of the sport and a packed international calendar.
- Teams like Northampton, Harlequins, and Bristol face difficult away ties in the next round if they win their current matches.