Seven Sides From France Next Season

With 22 of the places initially allocated - England and France six each, Ireland and Wales three each and Scotland and Italy two each - ERC, the tournament organisers, have used the following system for allocation of the final two places in the 24 for the 2005 / 2006 tournament.

The 23rd place has now gone to France, the most successful nation in this season's competition from England, France and Italy. Following Italy's failure to have a team qualifying for the knock-out stages, it had been a straight contest between England and France as to which of them would be offered a seventh team in the 11th season of the Heineken Cup. By supplying both finalists following last weekend's semi-finals, France have secured that additional place.

Ireland, Scotland and Wales did not come into the reckoning but were in contention for the 24th spot via the Celtic League. That place will now go to the winners of a play-off between Welsh regional side Cardiff Blues - the highest placed non-Heineken Cup qualifying team from Scotland, Ireland or Wales in the 2004 / 2005 Celtic League - and the losing Italian semi-finalist who finished highest in the 2004 / 2005 Italian Championship.
This game will be played on Sunday, 29 May, at a neutral venue in Italy.