Munster’s Graham Rowntree named URC coach of the year as EPCR confirms Champions Cup format for next season

The award may be scant consolation to the Munster supremo after the way things finished for his side last Saturday, but he has been recognised for steering the province to top spot in the table in what was a topsy-turvy campaign.

Rowntree’s side went on a 10-match unbeaten run in the URC to secure home seeding through the knockouts, but came undone against an impressive Glasgow Warriors side at Thomond Park last weekend.

That defeat means they are likely to be in for a harder draw when the pools for next year’s Champions Cup are drawn on July 2.

The final seedings will sorted on that date, with the Bulls and Glasgow fighting it out for a guaranteed top seeding in the URC final in Pretoria next weekend.

The four top seeds will be the winners of the URC, the Top 14, the Premiership and the Champions Cup winners and that means Leinster will be cheering on Toulouse in the Top 14 semi-finals and finals because they’ll be top seeds if the European champions secure the double.

Today’s Sports News in 90 Seconds – 19th June

The format for the tournament will remain unchanged next season, with four pools of six teams.

The three Irish provinces involved will be kept separate in the pool stage, while they will not play against the other URC side in their pool.