Next season's Heineken Cup knockout stages will be held after the Six Nations Championship has concluded.
Tournament organisers have moved the quarter-final round from its current January slot to mid-April in 2003, with the semi-finals taking place a fortnight later and the final on May 24th.
The competition also starts later next term - mid-October, rather than late September - with group matches again played in three blocks of two, although there is a seven-week gap between the first and second fixture portions.
European Rugby Cup Limited also confirmed tonight they are considering making next season's Parker Pen European Shield a knockout tournament. It is currently an eight-group, 32-team event.
Heineken Cup dates 2002/03
Group games October 11/12/13, October 18/19/20, December 6/7/8, December 13/14/15, January 10/11/12, January 17/18/19.
Quarter-finals: April 11/12/13.
Semi-finals: April 26/27.
Final: May 24.
PA