Toulouse's Dupont takes swipe at new-format Champions Cup

Toulouse scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, the 2021 World Player of the Year, hit out at the inclusion of South African teams in the new-look Champions Cup on Thursday, saying it was "no longer the European Cup".

Toulouse have been the standout team in the competition since it was set up to find the best team in Europe in 1995-96.

They won that first tournament, beating Cardiff at the old Arms Park, and they can now claim five titles, more than anyone else, and two losing finals.

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But that will be the last continental title for the foreseeable future because the competition has changed this season with the inclusion of South African franchises, following their integration into the United Rugby Championship last year.

"For purists, it's a bit difficult to grasp," said Dupont at Thursday's press conference ahead of Toulouse's opener against Munster at the formidable Thomond Park on Sunday.

Cape Town-based Stormers, the Durban side Sharks and Bulls from Pretoria will all take their place in this year's line-up. Teams from Johannesburg and Bloemfontein will play in the second tier Challenge Cup.

"We have to approach it like that and try to see the positive by telling ourselves that we will play new teams. But it's a bit hard to understand".

That edge of disappointment has not dimmed Toulouse's desire for more silverware on the greatest club stage available.

"We feel that there is an excitement, a particular flavour," said Dupont. "Everyone wants to raise their level and the intensity of their game to be able to compete."

Another quirk within the Champions Cup format is that although the 24 teams are split into two pools of 12, they will, in fact,