European Shield

Last updated

European Shield
ERC Logo (2003-2011).svg
Competition logo
Sport Rugby union
Instituted2002
Inaugural season 2002–03
Number of teams16
NationsFlag of England.svg England
Flag of France.svg France
Flag of Italy.svg Italy
Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal
Flag of Romania.svg Romania
Flag of Spain.svg Spain
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales
Holders Auch (2004–05)
Most titles Flag of France.svg Castres Olympique
Flag of France.svg Montpellier
Flag of France.svg Auch (1 title)
Website Official site
Related competition Heineken Cup
European Challenge Cup

The European Shield (known as the Parker Pen Shield for sponsorship reasons) [1] was a repechage tournament for teams knocked out in the first round of the European Challenge Cup. As such, it formed Europe's third-tier club rugby union competition below the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup. The name "European Shield" had previously been used for the now renamed European Challenge Cup.

Contents

A total of 16 teams participated in each season. The competition was contested between the first round losers from the European Challenge Cup with teams being added directly to make up the full 16 team complement. [2] The structure of the competition was a purely knockout format; teams played each other on a home and away basis, with the aggregate points winner proceeding to the next round. The final was a single leg.

The competition had a brief existence, running for just three seasons in 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2004–05. Three clubs won the competition in each year that it was run and there were three different runners up. Thereafter, the European Challenge Cup reverted to its previous "pool and knockout" format and the European Shield was discontinued. [1]

Winners of the European Shield

YearWinnerScoreRunner upVenueAttendance
2002–03 Castres Olympique Flag of France.svg 40–12 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Caerphilly Madejski Stadium, Reading Flag of England.svg 3,500
2003–04 Montpellier Flag of France.svg 25–19 Flag of Italy.svg Viadana Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma Flag of Italy.svg 2,553
2004–05 Auch Flag of France.svg 23–10 Flag of England.svg Worcester Warriors Kassam Stadium, Oxford Flag of England.svg 2,823

Seasons

2002–03 competition

This competition was contested between the first round losers from the 2002–03 European Challenge Cup. A total of 16 teams participated, representing five countries.

The competition began on 6 December 2002 and culminated in the final at the Madejski Stadium in Reading on 25 May 2003. Castres Olympique secured a victory over Caerphilly in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware. [2]

Teams

Flag of France.svg France Flag of Italy.svg Italy Flag of Romania.svg Romania Flag of Spain.svg Spain Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales

Castres Olympique
Grenoble
Mont de Marsan
Pau

Gran Parma
L'Aquila
Overmach Parma
Petrarca Padova
Rugby Roma
Rovigo
Rugby Silea

Dinamo București

La Moraleja
UC Madrid

Caerphilly
Ebbw Vale

Final

25 May 2003
13:00
Caerphilly Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1240 Flag of France.svg Castres Olympique
Try: Boobyer
El-Abd
Con: Thomas (1)
Report Try: Roque
Forment (2)
Spanghero
Arbo
Con: Teulet (3)
Pen: Teulet (3)
Madejski Stadium, Reading, Berkshire
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Donal Courtney (Ireland)

2003–04 competition

This competition was contested between 12 first round losers from the 2003–04 European Challenge Cup plus 4 other Clubs entering directly into the 1st Round. [3] A total of 16 teams participated, representing five countries.

The competition began on 10 January 2004 and culminated in the final at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella in Viadana on 21 May 2004. Montpellier secured a victory over Viadana in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware. [2]

Teams

Flag of England.svg England Flag of France.svg France Flag of Italy.svg Italy Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal Flag of Spain.svg Spain

Rotherham

Montpellier

Gran Parma
L'Aquila
Leonessa
Overmach Parma
Petrarca Padova
Rugby Roma
Rovigo
Viadana

El Salvador
Valladolid RAC

AA Coimbra
Clube Rugby Lisboa

UC Madrid
UE Santboiana

Final

21 May 2004
21:00
Montpellier Flag of France.svg 2519 Flag of Italy.svg Viadana
Try: Buada
Arbo
Daniell
Con: Bortolussi (1)
Jouve (1)
Pen: Jouve (2)
Report Try: Steyn (1)
Con: Steyn (1)
Pen: Steyn (4)
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Attendance: 2,553
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)

2004–05 competition

This competition was intended to be contested between 12 first round losers from the 2004–05 European Challenge Cup, plus 4 other Clubs that joined directly at the 1st Round of the Shield. [4] AA Coimbra subsequently declined to play in the competition. [5] therefore a total of 15 teams participated, representing six countries.

The competition began on 4 December 2004 and culminated in the final at Kassam Stadium in Oxford on 21 May 2005. Auch secured a victory over Worcester Warriors in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware. [2]

Teams

Flag of England.svg England Flag of France.svg France Flag of Italy.svg Italy Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal Flag of Romania.svg Romania Flag of Spain.svg Spain

Leeds Tykes
Worcester Warriors

Auch
Bayonne

Catania
Gran Parma
L'Aquila
Leonessa
Petrarca Padova
Rovigo

AA Coimbra

Valladolid RAC

Clube Rugby Lisboa

București

Bera Bera
UC Madrid

Final

21 May 2005
17:00
Worcester Warriors Flag of England.svg 1023 Flag of France.svg Auch
Try: O'Leary (1)
Con: Hayes (1)
Pen: Hayes (1)
Stats
Report
Try: Bastide (1)
Patat (1)
Con: Dambielle (2)
Pen: Dambielle (3)
Kassam Stadium, Oxford
Attendance: 2,823
Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "European Shield History". ERC . Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Challenge Cup European Champions". ERC. Archived from the original on 6 May 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  3. "Parker Pen Shield News". ERC. 14 December 2003. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  4. "ERC Press Release: European Shield Draw". ERC. 2 November 2004. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  5. "ERC Press Release: Coimbra Withdraw". ERC. 24 November 2004. Retrieved 31 January 2013.