Paul Rees looks forward to the Champions Cup, kicking off this weekend

THE Champions Cup returns this week with a tweaked format that does away with two large pools that saw sides make the knock-out stage having won just one match, but two-thirds of the teams will make the last 16.
Only the sides that finish at the bottom of the four pools will be left to concentrate on their leagues with those who finish fifth going into the last 16 of the Challenge Cup, but the opening weekend shows how the race to the top will be fiercely contested.
The pick of the fixtures is a repeat of last season’s ...