Leinster head coach Leo Cullen believes South African sides will get better at managing the demands of playing in the Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup.
SA Rugby is set to conduct a comprehensive review into the competitions in which its teams participate due to player workload concerns.
There has been speculation that SA Rugby may withdraw from the Champions Cup – a stance strongly opposed by the likes of the Sharks and Stormers.
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“The South Africans have added hugely to our domestic competition [URC],” Cullen said on the eve of the Champions Cup final against holders Bordeaux Bègles in Bilbao on Saturday.
“They’re still trying to figure out how to manage the problem of that [player workload]. But they’ll get better at it.”
There has also been talk of the Champions Cup format changing once again.
The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that English Premiership clubs want to scrap the pool stage of the tournament, have a straight knockout stage and reduce the teams involved to 16.
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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.
Cullen urged organisers to safeguard the integrity of the competition.
“It’s an incredible tournament to be part of. I hope the organisers protect it,” said the 48-year-old, who has won the tournament four times as a coach and player.
Cullen’s Leinster have travelled to Bilbao eyeing a fifth Champions Cup crown, and a first triumph since lifting the trophy in the Basque city in 2018.
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Bordeaux Bègles and their star-studded backline, including star France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, are defending their title, having reached this season’s final with a perfect run of results.
“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.”
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– AFP
Photo: Nick Elliott/INPHO
The post Leinster boss backs SA teams appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen believes South African sides will get better at managing the demands of playing in the Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup.
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