2003–04 Parker Pen Challenge Cup
Encyclopedia
The 2003–04 Parker Pen Challenge Cup was the eighth year of the European Challenge Cup
, the second tier rugby union
cup competition below the Heineken Cup
. The tournament was held between 5 December 2002 and 22 May 2004. This was the first year of the competition following the introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales
. With the reduction of Welsh teams from nine to five, and with all teams participating in the 2003-04 Heineken Cup
, there were no Welsh teams in the 2003–04 Parker Pen Challenge Cup.
European Challenge Cup
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...
, the second tier rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
cup competition below the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
. The tournament was held between 5 December 2002 and 22 May 2004. This was the first year of the competition following the introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales
Introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales
The introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales occurred prior to the start of the 2003/04 rugby union season. From this date, Wales was represented by a smaller number of regional teams in both the Celtic League and European Cup competitions, where previously the top club sides were...
. With the reduction of Welsh teams from nine to five, and with all teams participating in the 2003-04 Heineken Cup
2003-04 Heineken Cup
The 2003-4 Heineken Cup was the ninth season for which European teams competed for the Heineken Cup. Competing teams, from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, were divided into six pools of four, in which teams played home and away matches against each other...
, there were no Welsh teams in the 2003–04 Parker Pen Challenge Cup.