European Shield
The European Shield (known as the Parker Pen Shield for sponsorship reasons) 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.
Competition logo | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2002 |
| Inaugural season | 2002–03 |
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Nations | England France Italy Portugal Romania Spain Wales |
| Holders | Auch (2004–05) |
| Most titles | Castres Olympique Montpellier Auch (1 title) |
| Website | Official site |
| Related competition | Heineken Cup European Challenge Cup |
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. 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.