Extension to Heineken Cup squad sizes
The ERC has agreed to extend the size of the squads for the Heineken Cup and Challenge Cup for the coming season.
The ERC board has sanctioned an extra two players per squad for the Pool Section, bringing the total from 34 to 36 and up to an extra three players for the knockout part of the competition.
"Clubs approached ERC and asked us to reconsider squad sizes due to the challenges and length of the tournaments, in particular when it came to Rounds five and six," said ERC Chief Executive Derek McGrath.
"They said injuries were playing an increasing part in denying them fielding their best teams and, after considering the requests and receiving feedback from the clubs, the board of ERC approved an increase in the squad size to 36 players with the stipulation that 10 of them should be front row forwards".
