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EPCR statement: Reprieve for Bristol after London Irish suspension

09 Jun 2023

Bristol's Ellis Genge (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Pat Lam’s Bristol have been handed a Heineken Champions Cup reprieve as the Bears have been awarded the place in the 2023/24 tournament left vacant following the RFU suspension of London Irish.

The Exiles were suspended on Tuesday from all competitions next season due to their inability to guarantee funding and owner Mick Crossan placed the club in administration the next day.

Led by director of rugby Declan Kidney, Irish had finished in fifth place last month when the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership concluded, qualifying them for what would have been a second successive season in EPCR’s premier cup competition.

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However, with the RFU pulling the plug on their participation, their place has now gone to ninth-place Bristol. They lost out on Champions Cup qualification on the final day of the regular season on points difference to Bath, who recorded a massive win against an understrength Saracens XV.

A statement read: “Following the RFU’s decision to suspend London Irish from all competitions, EPCR can clarify that regrettably, the club will not compete in the 2023/24 Champions Cup.

“As Bristol Bears are the highest-ranked club in the Gallagher Premiership league table at the conclusion of the regular season which did not qualify for the 2023/24 Champions Cup, they will now replace London Irish in next season’s tournament.

“The formats for the 2023/24 Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup will be announced shortly, as will details of the pool draws for both tournaments.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

Chiefs Mana 17 minutes ago

Cory Jane signs off on Hurricanes' season with message for All Blacks selectors

Add in his decision to go to Leinster, it shows a player committed to his craft and wanting to improve. He could go and have a field day in Japan making the same sort of money but chose the more difficult assignment.

12 Go to comments

SS 20 minutes ago

Are Brumbies good enough to take next step? Will Reds ever make final four?

Just bitter, Brett :) although they still have hosting rights for the semi, and will do if the Blues knock off the Crusaders

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JO 31 minutes ago

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GP 1 hour ago

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Great to see former Canterbury and Crusaders 10 Fergus Burke, ( now playing for Saracens), get in the Scotland squad. I rate Fergus highly as a footballer and he is a good guy as well. May well play against some of his team mates when he comes out here.

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Spew_81 2 hours ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

I would like to see Faingaʻanuku get a shot at 12. Give J Barrett a shot at 13. Similar to the Nonu-Smith combo.

245 Go to comments

Spew_81 2 hours ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

From memory. In his first Hurricanes game, first touch. He fielded a high ball that was that awkward length, not clearly carrying to him, not clearly going to bounce first. So, he slid, caught the ball, got up and kept running. Not bad for a 19-year-old.

245 Go to comments

Brett McKay 2 hours ago

Are Brumbies good enough to take next step? Will Reds ever make final four?

Interesting theory SS!

I’m not sure how they benefit from losing hosting rights, and the revenue that comes with?

6 Go to comments

Spew_81 2 hours ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Agree, if he stayed he would be the starting 10.

I’m sure he will be welcomed with open arms in 2026 - by most people (always some haters) :)

245 Go to comments

Spew_81 2 hours ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

The loss of one talented individual can seriously reduce the quality of an organization.

The other sports website you left has reduced significantly since you departed :)

Not having a go, just having a laugh :) Not sure of the circumstances, they seem to have wanted more tabloid, Australian focused content. Glad you’re still enlightening us here.

It would be good if Highlander was on this site as well.

245 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

“I miss Harry’s or JD’s articles mostly because I don’t get to the site with enough frequency.”

I’m the same…most frustrating when I do see them 24/48 hrs late !

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Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

Good post Mitch.

97 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

I would be looking at Tizzano too. McReight is a Qldr, has Ulster heritage, but never the less, I see him too often played out of games, and being too often not strong enough the withstand the cleanout. Tizzano is a more rugged player. But McReight has the better all round game, and I would have my money on Joe playing him at 7. Pity his great mate Harry looks like not being with him….they do combine so well for great moments.

97 Go to comments

Spew_81 2 hours ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Love recently said: “I want to be the best player in the world, whether that’s at 10 or 15. I’m just focused on improving every day and helping the team wherever I’m needed.”.

My gut feeling is at 10. Winners want the ball. More ball and influence at 10 than 15.

245 Go to comments

Spew_81 2 hours ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Maybe not 100% the same level of athlete. But very close.

245 Go to comments

JS 2 hours ago

Cory Jane signs off on Hurricanes' season with message for All Blacks selectors

Would be helpful with links or timestamps in games to back up your assertion….

Otherwise your post just reverts to your ‘opinion’

I can timestamp Billys wayward passing.

12 Go to comments

Spew_81 2 hours ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

O Jacko :)

245 Go to comments

Spew_81 2 hours ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Considering the amount of people who support the All Blacks, it would be a really hard choice to go. I’m sure Mo’unga and his family like the change of scene and pace. Good for them.

But the aspect that I return to is that the All Blacks are a product of the New Zealand rugby system. The system works as many people sacrifice their time to make the system work. It’s not outrageous ask the best players (who have benefited massively from the system) to spend their best playing years giving back to the system - while being well paid, agreed not quite as well as overseas.

I hold no animosity to anyone who turns their back on New Zealand rugby (when they have a lot they could give back). It’s just disappointing to miss out on what might have been. Also, the New Zealand rugby system is fragile. The reduction in revenue, from not being the best, could be a significant step in the long term downfall of New Zealand rugby.

245 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

Agree, T. That game was closer than the score shows. An out of form, imo, Will Genia just knocking on at a ruck, a forward pass not picked up for an NZ try, all adds up. One bit of magic from Sonny Bill putting Nonu into space probably the key moment for the AB’s.

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SS 2 hours ago

Super Rugby Pacific's greatest season stained by one playoff game

Agree. Would the Chiefs have played differently if they were to have lost their home advantage? Absolutely

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Cantab 3 hours ago

Are Brumbies good enough to take next step? Will Reds ever make final four?

We are definitely in agreement on those points.