Champions Cup refreshes the parts the old Heineken could not reach | Dean Ryan

The European competition reaches its final round of games with only one of the eight quarter-finalists already determinedTime for a round of applause. So stand up the architects of the Champions Cup. A bit of format tweaking, qualifying made more competitive with fewer easy rides, and hey presto. Not that there was much wrong with the Heineken Cup, but when it comes to the bottom line there can be little argument.Remarkably, as we enter the last round of pool matches, only one side, Toulon, are through. This time last year six of the eight were bolted down and, unless you are from Ulster or Mu…