The European Challenge Cup tournament, which this season will involve 32 teams from seven nations, acts as a subsidiary club tournament to the flagship Heineken Cup.
Once again the tournament will split into two sections, providing teams with the chance to chase two titles – the Parker Pen Challenge Cup and the Parker Pen Shield.
"Last season’s decision to switch the tournament to a knock-out format enabled us to provide two champions. London Wasps earned their ticket back into the Heineken Cup by winning the Parker Pen Challenge Cup, while Castres Olympique took the Parker Pen Shield title back to France with them," said ERC chief executive Derek McGrath.
"We are following the same format this season and are delighted that Parker have decided to extend their involvement for a fourth season. They first came on board with this tournament when it was called the Parker Pen Shield in the 2000/2001 season and have been the title sponsors for the past two seasons.
"In partnership with ERC they have helped us to broaden the appeal of the tournament and have played a major role in developing the finals into major occasions in the European rugby calendar.
"Once again this season the winners of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup will receive automatic entry into the Heineken Cup tournament in 2004/2005, when it celebrates its 10th anniversary, while the winners of the Parker Pen Shield will be one of the seeded teams in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup the following season."
Further good news for the tournament is that ERC’s new broadcast partners in the UK, Sky Sports, have agreed to cover the semi-finals and final of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup to provide even greater exposure for the competition.
Despite rumours that it was set to pull its backing, Parker Pen has renewed its sponsorship deal with European Rugby Cup Limited for rugby union's European Challenge Cup tournament.
