European Shield
{{Short description|Rugby competition}}
{{for multi|the competition in the sport of rugby league football|Rugby League European Shield|the qualification competition from 2016 for the European Rugby Challenge Cup|European Rugby Continental Shield}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby league football competition
| name = European Shield
| current_season =
| logo = ERC Logo (2003-2011).svg
| pixels = 140px
| alt =
| caption = Competition logo
| sport = Rugby union
| founded = 2002
| inaugural = 2002–03
| ceotag = Chairman
| ceo =
| teams = 16
| countrytag = Nations
| country = {{flag|England}}
{{flag|France}}
{{flag|Italy}}
{{flag|Portugal}}
{{flag|Romania}}
{{flag|Spain}}
{{flag|Wales}}
| champion = Auch
| season = 2004–05
| most_champs = {{flagicon|FRA}} Castres Olympique
{{flagicon|FRA}} Montpellier
{{flagicon|FRA}} Auch
| count = 1
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20060423131712/http://www.ercrugby.com/ Official site]
| TV =
| qualification =
| related_comps = Heineken Cup
European Challenge Cup
}}
The European Shield (known as the Parker Pen Shield for sponsorship reasons){{cite web|url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/amlinchallengecup/history/shield.php|title=European Shield History|publisher=ERC|access-date=31 January 2013}} was a repechage tournament for teams knocked out in the first round of the European Challenge Cup. As such, it formed Europe's third-tier club rugby union competition below the Heineken Cup and European 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 the European Challenge Cup with teams being added directly to make up the full 16 team complement.{{cite web|url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/amlinchallengecup/champions.php|title=Challenge Cup European Champions|publisher=ERC|access-date=26 January 2013|archive-date=6 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506141030/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/amlinchallengecup/champions.php|url-status=dead}} 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 in 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2004–05. Three clubs won the competition in each year that it was run and there were three different runners up. Thereafter, the European Challenge Cup reverted to its previous "pool and knockout" format and the European Shield was discontinued.
Winners of the European Shield
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| style="width:60pt;" | Year
! style="width:110pt;"| Winner ! style="width:60pt;" | Score ! style="width:110pt;"| Runner up ! style="width:150pt;"| Venue ! style="width:60pt;" | Attendance |
|---|
| 2002–03
|align="right"| Castres Olympique {{flagicon|FRA}} |40–12 |align="left"| {{flagicon|WAL}} Caerphilly |align="left"| Madejski Stadium, Reading {{flagicon|ENG}} |3,500 |
| 2003–04
|align="right"| Montpellier {{flagicon|FRA}} |25–19 |align="left"| {{flagicon|ITA}} Viadana |align="left"| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma {{flagicon|ITA}} |2,553 |
| 2004–05
|align="right"| Auch {{flagicon|FRA}} |23–10 |align="left"| {{flagicon|ENG}} Worcester Warriors |align="left"| Kassam Stadium, Oxford {{flagicon|ENG}} |2,823 |
Seasons
= 2002–03 competition =
{{Main|2002–03 European Shield}}
This competition was contested between the first round losers from the 2002–03 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 the Madejski Stadium in Reading on 25 May 2003. Castres Olympique secured a victory over Caerphilly in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware.
==Teams==
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |
| width=20%| {{flagicon|FRA}} France
!width=20%| {{flagicon|ITA}} Italy !width=20%| {{flagicon|ROM}} Romania !width=20%| {{flagicon|ESP}} Spain !width=20%| {{flagicon|WAL}} Wales |
|---|
| valign=top
| | | | | |
==Final==
{{rugbybox
| date = 25 May 2003
| time = 13:00
| home = Caerphilly {{flagicon|WAL}}
| score = 12–40
| report = [http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchcentre/13975.php Report]
| away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Castres Olympique
| con1 = Thomas (1)
| pen1 =
| drop1 =
| try2 = Roque
Forment (2)
Spanghero
Arbo
| con2 = Teulet (3)
| pen2 = Teulet (3)
| drop2 =
| stadium = Madejski Stadium, Reading, Berkshire
| attendance = 4,000
| referee = Donal Courtney (Ireland)
}}
= 2003–04 competition =
{{Main|2003–04 European Shield}}
This competition was contested between 12 first round losers from the 2003–04 European Challenge Cup plus 4 other Clubs entering directly into the 1st Round.{{cite web|url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/8443.php|title=Parker Pen Shield News|publisher=ERC|date=14 December 2003|access-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130215225403/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/8443.php|archive-date=15 February 2013|url-status=dead}} A total of 16 teams participated, representing five countries.
The competition began on 10 January 2004 and culminated in the final at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella in Viadana on 21 May 2004. Montpellier secured a victory over Viadana in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware.
==Teams==
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |
| width=20%| {{flagicon|ENG}} England
!width=20%| {{flagicon|FRA}} France !width=20%| {{flagicon|ITA}} Italy !width=20%| {{flagicon|POR}} Portugal !width=20%| {{flagicon|ESP}} Spain |
|---|
| valign=top
| | | | | |
| valign=top
| | | | | |
==Final==
{{rugbybox
| date = 21 May 2004
| time = 21:00
| home = Montpellier {{flagicon|FRA}}
| score = 25–19
| report = [http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchcentre/13973.php Report]
| away = {{flagicon|ITA}} Viadana
| con1 = Bortolussi (1)
Jouve (1)
| pen1 = Jouve (2)
| drop1 =
| try2 = Steyn (1)
| con2 = Steyn (1)
| pen2 = Steyn (4)
| drop2 =
| stadium = Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
| attendance = 2,553
| referee = Dave Pearson (England)
}}
= 2004–05 competition =
{{Main|2004–05 European Shield}}
This competition was intended to be contested between 12 first round losers from the 2004–05 European Challenge Cup, plus 4 other Clubs that joined directly at the 1st Round of the Shield.{{cite web|url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/7944.php|title=ERC Press Release: European Shield Draw|publisher=ERC|date=2 November 2004|access-date=31 January 2013|archive-date=16 February 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216011801/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/7944.php|url-status=dead}} AA Coimbra subsequently declined to play in the competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/7940.php|title=ERC Press Release: Coimbra Withdraw|publisher=ERC|date=24 November 2004|access-date=31 January 2013}} therefore a total of 15 teams participated, representing six countries.
The competition began on 4 December 2004 and culminated in the final at Kassam Stadium in Oxford on 21 May 2005. Auch secured a victory over Worcester Warriors in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware.
==Teams==
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |
| width=16%| {{flagicon|ENG}} England
!width=16%| {{flagicon|FRA}} France !width=16%| {{flagicon|ITA}} Italy !width=16%| {{flagicon|POR}} Portugal !width=16%| {{flagicon|ROM}} Romania !width=16%| {{flagicon|ESP}} Spain |
|---|
| valign=top
| | | | | | |
| valign=top
| | | | | | |
==Final==
{{ rugbybox
| date = 21 May 2005
| time = 17:00
| home = Worcester Warriors {{flagicon|ENG}}
| score = 10–23
| report = [http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchcentre/shield.php?section=overview&fixid=2324 Stats]
[http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/5559.php Report]
| away = {{flagicon|FRA}} Auch
| try1 = O'Leary (1)
| con1 = Hayes (1)
| pen1 = Hayes (1)
| drop1 =
| con2 = Dambielle (2)
| pen2 = Dambielle (3)
| drop2 =
| stadium = Kassam Stadium, Oxford
| attendance = 2,823
| referee = Carlo Damasco (Italy)
}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/european/2841313.stm BBC Parker Pen 2002/3 results summary]
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/european/3090467.stm BBC Parker Pen Cup & Shield 2003/4 results summary]
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/european/3858283.stm BBC European Challenge Cup & Shield 2004/5 results summary]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060423131712/http://www.ercrugby.com/ Official site]
- [http://www.eurorugby.com/index.php Unofficial European club rankings]
{{European Rugby Challenge Cup}}
Category:2002 establishments in Europe
Category:Defunct rugby union competitions in Europe for clubs and provinces