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Pro 14 introduce play-off spot
The Pro14 will introduce a play-off for the final Champions Cup qualification spot from 2018.
The top three from each conference will automatically qualify for the Champions Cup, while the two teams that finish fourth in the respective divisions of the newly-expanded competition will play against each other for the Pro 14's seventh and final spot in European rugby's showpiece event.
The team with the better record in the Pro 14 season will have home advantage for the play-off, which will take place on the first weekend of May 2019.
The two new South African teams in the Pro14 are ineligible for European cup tournaments, so if the Cheetahs or the Southern Kings finish fourth or above, the next eligible team would take the European spot.
The five eligible teams that miss out on the Champions Cup will compete in the second-tier Challenge Cup.
"By the time May rolls around, our fans are going to be the big winners thanks to the enlarged Guinness Pro14 Final Series which will see six teams battle for the Championship title and another two going at it to qualify for the Champions Cup," Pro 14 chief executive Martin Anayi said.
"That's double the number of teams who now have something to play for after the regular season ends which is a great result for the clubs, their fans and the tournament.
"We are committed to raising the standards of our Championship and the introduction of the Champions Cup Play-Off brings a dynamic element to European qualification.
"After careful consultation with our clubs, we strongly believe this is best solution for the Guinness Pro14.
"The new Championship format is off to a fantastic start and it's so important to us that no matter which Conference a club is in, eligible teams have an equal opportunity to qualify for the Champions Cup.
"By pitting the two fourth-placed teams against each other we're creating a fair fight and giving fans a cup-final style occasion that they can relish."
Photo Inpho/ Ashley Crowden
Ulster host Premiership side Wasps in their European Champions Cup Pool A opener at Kingspan Stadium on Friday, 13 October, a match which will be shown live on BT Sport 2 [kick off 7.45pm] on the eir Sport pack.
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