.svg){kind=logo} 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 OlympiqueMontpellierAuch(1 title) |
| Website | Official site |
| Related competition | Heineken Cup European Challenge Cup |
TheEuropean Shield (known as theParker Pen Shield forsponsorship reasons)[1] was a repechage tournament for teams knocked out in the first round of theEuropean Challenge Cup. As such, it formed Europe's third-tier clubrugby union competition below theHeineken Cup andEuropean Challenge Cup. The name "European Shield" had previously been used for the now renamed European Challenge Cup.
A total of 16 teams participated in each season. The competition was contested between the first round losers from theEuropean Challenge Cup with teams being added directly to make up the full 16 team complement.[2] 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 in2002–03,2003–04 and2004–05. Three clubs won the competition in each year that it was run and there were three different runners up. Thereafter, theEuropean Challenge Cup reverted to its previous "pool and knockout" format and the European Shield was discontinued.[1]
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner up | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | Castres Olympique | 40–12 | Caerphilly | Madejski Stadium,Reading | 3,500 |
| 2003–04 | Montpellier | 25–19 | Viadana | Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi,Parma | 2,553 |
| 2004–05 | Auch | 23–10 | Worcester Warriors | Kassam Stadium,Oxford | 2,823 |
This competition was contested between the first round losers from the2002–03 European Challenge Cup. A total of 16 teams participated, representing five countries.
The competition began on 6 December 2002 and culminated in the final at theMadejski Stadium inReading on 25 May 2003.Castres Olympique secured a victory overCaerphilly in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware.[2]
| France | Italy | Romania | Spain | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gran Parma |
| 25 May 2003 13:00 |
| Caerphilly | 12–40 | Castres Olympique |
| Try:Boobyer El-Abd Con:Thomas (1) | Report | Try:Roque Forment (2) Spanghero Arbo Con:Teulet (3) Pen:Teulet (3) |
| Madejski Stadium,Reading, Berkshire Attendance: 4,000 Referee:Donal Courtney (Ireland) |
This competition was contested between 12 first round losers from the2003–04 European Challenge Cup plus 4 other Clubs entering directly into the 1st Round.[3] A total of 16 teams participated, representing five countries.
The competition began on 10 January 2004 and culminated in the final at theStadio Luigi Zaffanella inViadana on 21 May 2004.Montpellier secured a victory overViadana in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware.[2]
| England | France | Italy | Portugal | Spain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gran Parma | ||||
| 21 May 2004 21:00 |
| Montpellier | 25–19 | Viadana |
| Try:Buada Arbo Daniell Con:Bortolussi (1) Jouve (1) Pen:Jouve (2) | Report | Try:Steyn (1) Con:Steyn (1) Pen:Steyn (4) |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi,Parma Attendance: 2,553 Referee:Dave Pearson (England) |
This competition was intended to be contested between 12 first round losers from the2004–05 European Challenge Cup, plus 4 other Clubs that joined directly at the 1st Round of the Shield.[4]AA Coimbra subsequently declined to play in the competition.[5] therefore a total of 15 teams participated, representing six countries.
The competition began on 4 December 2004 and culminated in the final atKassam Stadium inOxford on 21 May 2005.Auch secured a victory overWorcester Warriors in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware.[2]
| England | France | Italy | Portugal | Romania | Spain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 May 2005 17:00 |
| Worcester Warriors | 10–23 | Auch |
| Try:O'Leary (1) Con:Hayes (1) Pen:Hayes (1) | Stats Report | Try:Bastide (1) Patat (1) Con:Dambielle (2) Pen:Dambielle (3) |
| Kassam Stadium,Oxford Attendance: 2,823 Referee:Carlo Damasco (Italy) |