Rugby has undergone many changes over the last six years, and if some continue to be contentious, there are others that have been extremely beneficial.

In that regard few initiatives have been better than the inauguration of the European Cup.

Events surrounding it have not always followed a smooth course. Like so many other matters in the game in recent years, it has on occasions been beset by controversy. There was the attempt by England to fashion it in their own design and then, of course, there was the boycott of the English clubs in 199899. Attempts were also made to try to stop the Irish provinces competing.

Those problems, like so many other happenings in the game, emanated from the same source. The boycott by the English clubs lasted only one season before some semblance of sense prevailed. Of course the Cup and the Shield are stronger and better for the presence of the English clubs.

Nor would it be right to lump all the English clubs in the same category as excessive in their demands, overbearing in attitude and offensive to some of those whose work, foresight and initiative had established the competition. These people kept it going and vibrant in the face of threats, demands and accusations that had no substance.

There is no doubt Heineken, who were the initial sponsors of the competition, are onto a real winner. There was one year, in fact, when they did not sponsor the Cup and that was the season Ulster won it in such memorable circumstances at Lansdowne Road when the English clubs boycotted the competition. That season it was sponsored by ISL Marketing, and they deserve considerable credit for that. Heineken returned as sponsors last season.

The Cup started with 12 teams in 1995-96. They were Toulouse, Benetton Treviso, Farul Constanta, Cardiff, Begles-Bordeaux, Ulster, Leinster, Pontypridd, Milan, Swansea, Munster and Castres. Eight are among the 24 teams currently contesting the Cup - the three Irish provinces, Cardiff, Swansea, Pontypridd, Castres and Toulouse. Leinster lost in the semi-final to Cardiff and Toulouse were the inaugural winners. Like many another competitions that started in modest circumstances, what has developed is a truly splendid competition.

What we have now in the European Cup is a real gem, second only to the Six Nations Championship on an annual basis in terms of importance and drawing power. The establishment of the competition owes much to the work and vision of Tom Kiernan and Vernon Pugh. That they got more criticism than thanks from some sources did not deter them and others who saw the need to establish a competition below the level of the internationals as a means of giving greater experience at a high level to the players from these islands, and Europe. The Cup was maintained in the face of all the threats and complaints. For that let us all be grateful. It is of immense importance to the Six Nations and that is now widely accepted.

The establishment of the Super 12 series in the Southern Hemisphere was certainly a factor in the thinking of the men who inaugurated the European Cup. It has been of immense benefit to the game here and elsewhere. The interest in it is second only to the internationals. Four times Irish provinces have reached the knockout stages. There was Leinster in the inaugural year, the season Ulster won it. Munster also reached the quarter-finals and lost away to Colomiers. Last season we had Munster's great adventure and run to the final.

AND what of this season, will we see yet another great Irish challenge? Let us hope so. The action resumes this weekend when the second last series in the pools take place and both Leinster and Munster face crucial matches. Leinster tonight against Edinburgh Reivers at Donnybrook - what a heady prospect that is and the same can be said for Munster's journey to Newport tomorrow. Ulster, whose prospects of qualifying are tenuous, face Cardiff away tonight.

Both Munster and Leinster top their pools, with Munster two points ahead of Newport and Bath. Leinster are level on points with Biarritz, but ahead on points difference and tries scored. It would suit Leinster admirably were Northampton to beat Biarritz tomorrow as Leinster must travel to Biarritz next week. Leinster have never won on French soil in the European Cup. No better time to rectify that.

Munster's final pool match is against Castres at Musgrave Park next week. If Munster beat Newport tomorrow and Castres win or draw against Bath, then Munster will win the pool before the final match, as and While the six pool winners qualify for the quarter-finals, the other two qualifiers are the two best second-placed teams and in that respect points and tries scored can be crucial. Furthermore the pool winners will be ranked one to six in terms of the number of points scored. With teams such as L'Aquila and Roma involved, those in their pools certainly hold an advantage.

But it is a measure of the competitive nature of the Cup that only one team, Swansea, has thus far managed a 100 per cent record - four wins out of four. Only four teams have failed to win a match, L'Aquila, Roma, Glasgow Caledonians and, remarkably, the defending champions Northampton.

Let us hope this will prove a very fruitful weekend for the Irish representatives and that we can look forward to the knockout stages producing yet again what we enjoyed through the exploits of Ulster two years ago and Munster last season.