Monday 9 October 2017 17:28, UK
PRO14 Rugby have announced that the seventh team to qualify for the Champions Cup will be decided by a Play-Off match.
The match will be a part of the Guinness PRO14 Final Series and will pit the fourth-placed teams from both conferences against each other in a winner-takes-all contest.
The game will take place on the first weekend of May, with home advantage going to the team with the highest points total.
PRO14 CEO Martin Anayi said: "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.
"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.
"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."
Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman has welcomed the innovation.
"Having a Play-Off game for the final Champions Cup spot is a really exciting new element for the Guinness PRO14," said Jackman.
