• Wales: 3 teams (selected by performance in Magners League)
• Ireland 3 teams (selected by performance in Magners League)
• Scotland 2 teams (selected by performance in Magners League)

HEINEKEN CUP QUALIFICATION

From the 2009/10 season both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup winners
will qualify automatically for the following season’s Heineken Cup and will each earn an
extra Heineken Cup spot for their countries – over and above their guaranteed
allocations.

Both Ireland and Wales can have four teams competed in the Heineken Cup if one their clubs win
the Heineken Cup or the Amlin Challenge Cup.

However, England and France, who have six automatic places, will only be allowed a
maximum of seven teams, so if either country wins both the Heineken Cup and
Amlin Challenge Cup the second additional spot will pass on to the club with the
highest ERC European Ranking who has not already qualified from any of the other five
nations.

The changes mean that the Italian / Celtic League 24th Place Play-Off is no longer
required and the extra place earned by England this year, which was available to the
most successful nation from England, France or Italy, is also no longer applicable.