EPCR have introduced that Black Lion from Georgia and South Africa’s Toyota Cheetahs will proceed their participation as invited golf equipment within the Problem Cup for the subsequent two seasons.
The Tbilisi-based Black Lion and the Toyota Cheetahs, who will play their residence matches in Amsterdam, have fulfilled EPCR’s participation standards of getting a house venue in Europe, in addition to the flexibility to pick out aggressive matchday squads and to stick to the required minimal requirements for staging a fixture.
Each golf equipment have already made important contributions to the EPCR Problem Cup on the pitch with the Toyota Cheetahs reaching the knockout stage of event in each 2022/23 and 2023/24.
Final season, Black Lion made historical past by changing into the primary Georgian membership to take part in an EPCR event and their impression was speedy with an excellent away victory towards the Scarlets in addition to attracting robust attendances to their residence matches in Tbilisi, whereas the Toyota Cheetahs’ fixture towards Part Paloise in Amsterdam generated a sell-out attendance on the NRCA Stadium.
As well as, the latest appointment of the vastly-experienced Richard Cockerill to the twin function of Head Coach of Black Lion and the Georgian nationwide crew is definite to make the membership an much more aggressive proposition within the EPCR Problem Cup sooner or later.
EPCR Chairman, Dominic McKay, stated: “We’re completely delighted to ask Black Lion to proceed their EPCR Problem Cup journey for the subsequent two seasons.”
“The inclusion of Black Lion and the continuation of the Toyota Cheetahs’ participation mirror a dedication to widen the scope of our tournaments and to showcase new, thrilling expertise to followers worldwide. The Toyota Cheetahs have already enhanced the EPCR Problem Cup with their efficiency final season, and we’re assured that the Georgians’ ardour and physicality will additional increase the depth of the event.”
Georgian Rugby Union President, Ioseb Tkemaladze, stated: “It is a vastly vital second for Georgian rugby and for the nation. We’ve all been working laborious for this – on the pitch and behind the scenes – for a few years. We’re grateful to EPCR for taking a lead and exhibiting the imaginative and prescient that’s wanted to additional the worldwide growth and development of the sport. My private gratitude to Dominic McKay and his superb crew for his or her laborious work?and?help.”
Toyota Cheetahs CEO, Ross van Reenen, stated: “We’re honoured that the Toyota Cheetahs have been invited to take part within the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons of this esteemed competitors. We eagerly anticipate returning to Amsterdam as our residence base, particularly following the success of report attendance and sell-out on the NRCA Stadium. Being a part of this prestigious worldwide competitors is critical for us, and I sincerely thank the EPCR and SA Rugby for this unbelievable alternative.”
In the meantime, EPCR confirmed they’re wanting into the potential of a meritocratic promotion pathway into the Problem Cup in addition to establishing long-term invites for aggressive golf equipment with formidable growth plans.
The 18 golf equipment within the 2024/25 EPCR Problem Cup will as soon as once more compete in three swimming pools of six, and the pool attracts for subsequent season are scheduled for Tuesday July 2nd in Cardiff.
