The new look format under the Amlin Challenge Cup banner includes 20 top flight teams from six countries competing in five Pools of four teams each.  The knock-out stages of future Amlin Challenge Cup tournaments will now include three teams who will qualify through the Heineken Cup. The introduction of three teams who have finished as Pool runners-up in that seasons’ Heineken Cup (the third, fourth and fifth ranked Heineken Cup Pool runners-up), to meet the five Amlin Challenge Cup Pool winners, will enhance both the quality and profile
of the Amlin Challenge Cup knock-out matches.

The top four Amlin Challenge Cup Pool winners will enjoy home advantage in thequarter-finals with the top Pool winner playing the 5th, while the other three Pool winners will welcome the Heineken Cup sides.

Follow the links above to view the results from all the previous Amlin Challenge Cup and European Shield campaigns.

In 2004/5 the twelve teams who failed to progress from the qualifying round of the European Challenge Cup were joined in the draw for the European Shield by Bucuresti (Romania), UCM Madrid (Spain), Bera Bera (Spain) and Lisboa Rugby Club (Portugal). 

Due to restructuring of the European Challenge Cup for the 2005/06 season the European Shield tournament is no longer active. 

Previous Winners of the European Shield

2003 Castres Olympique 40-12 Caerphilly (known as Parker Pen Shield)
2004 Montpellier 25-19 Arix Viadana (known as Parker Pen Shield)
2005 FC Auch 23-10 Worcester Rugby (known as Parker Pen Shield)