European Rugby Association Rules:
Season Structure:
- The regular season starts in May and runs to August.
- The regular season is a 15-week season in which all 15 teams in both conferences play the other 7 teams in their division twice (1h/1a) with one bye week.
- The postseason is a 8-team single-elimination tournament in which the top 8 teams compete for the Heineken Cup.
- Postseason Format = 1v8 / 2v7 / 3v6 / 4v5 in the first round, 1/8 v 2/7 and 3/6 v 4/5 in the semifinals, and the final two teams in the finals; the higher ranked team earns the right to host.