The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European Challenge Cup is the second tier competition to the Heineken Cup. It is contested by teams from England, France, Wales, Ireland, Italy, Romania, and on some occasions, Spain and Portugal, on a pool, and then knock-out, basis. Because of the demise of their third professional side, Scotland's representation in the competition stopped. Today, the two surviving Scottish sides, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors, receive automatic Heineken Cup places, but may parachute into the Challenge Cup if they finish 3rd, 4th or 5th best runners up in the Heineken Cup pool stages. The European Challenge Cup is the equivalent competition of the UEFA Europa League in football, whereas the Heineken Cup in the equivalent to the higher level UEFA Champions League.
Read more about European Challenge Cup: Qualification, Format, Finals, Statistics, Media Coverage
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