Bonus-point rule and last-16 changes for Champions Cup

Try-scoring bonus points in next season's Champions Cup pool stage will be awarded only to teams who cross at least three more times than their opponents – rather than for simply scoring four or more tries. The concept, which is used in France's Top 14, the southern hemisphere's Super Rugby and, from next season, will be implemented in England's second-tier Champ, aims to keep matches competitive for longer. It has been felt that losing teams could pick up a four-try bonus point too easily as opponents with a comfortable lead ease off in the final quarter. There will also be a change in qualification criteria for the last-16 stage. Previously the top four teams from each of the four six-strong pools would progress, with home advantage in the knockouts decided by a seeding based on group-stage records. From 2026-27, only three teams from each of the four pools will go through automatically, with the remaining four last-16 spots allocated on the basis of table points collected. With wins being the primary tie-breaker, it is now impossible for a repeat of last season's scenario, in which Leicester and Bulls, who finished fourth in their respective pools with just one win each, progressed at the expense of the Sharks, who won two but finished fifth in their group. The Champions Cup will begin in October next season, rather than December, in the hope of engaging fans earlier in the season. …