Portugal back on Euro stage
A Portuguese team will play in the European Challenge Cup this season, after Spaniards Olympus were withdrawn for failing to meet their financial obligations, organisers European Club Rugby (ERC) said Monday.
Officially Lisbon-based Lusitanos will take part in Pool Five, alongside current French Top 14 leaders Stade Francais, England's London Irish and Italians Prato.
However, in reality the team will be made up of the best players in the Portuguese league.
ERC had been working with the Spanish Rugby Federation to try to find a solution to keep Olympus in the competition, but financial constraints forced them to abandon, ERC added.
It will be the third time a Portuguese team takes part in the competition following the appearance of a Portugal team in 1998 and Coimbra in 2004.
"When seeking a replacement, ERC reviewed proposals from Italy, Romania and Portugal," the ERC said in a statement.
"Following a meeting with the FPR to assess the feasibility of its representative's participation, and the suitability of their facilities, the Board of ERC confirmed Lusitanos XV as the new Pool Five club."
They will play their home matches in the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon.
The European club season kicks off Thursday, October 10, with the Challenge Cup Final scheduled for the Cardiff Arms Park on May 23.
Challenge Cup pools:
Pool One: Biarritz Olympique, Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors, Oyonnax
Pool Two: Bath Rugby, Newport Gwent Dragons, Bordeaux-Bègles, Mogliano Rugby
Pool Three: Brive, Newcastle Falcons, Cammi Rugby Calvisano, Bucharest Wolves
Pool Four: London Wasps, Rugby Viadana, Bayonne, Grenoble
Pool Five: Stade Francais Paris, London Irish, I Cavalieri Prato, Lusitanos XV
