The Challenge Cup is being used to widen boundaries. A Georgian side, Black Lion which will play its home matches in Tbilisi, has been included while the Cheetahs will be based in Amsterdam rather than South Africa.
Amsterdam is one of the venues being considered for the Champions and Challenge Cup finals in 2025, along with Lisbon following the surge in the sport’s popularity there following Portugal’s impressive showing in the recent World Cup.
The Challenge Cup has come a distant second to the Champions Cup in terms of popularity over the years with several French clubs in particular trea...