2004–05 European Shield
The 2004–05 European Shield was the 3rd, and final, season of the European Shield, Europe's third-tier club rugby union competition below the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup. A total of 15 teams participated, representing six different countries.
This competition was intended to be contested between 12 first round losers from the 2004–05 European Challenge Cup plus 4 other Clubs entering directly into the 1st Round. The structure of the competition was a purely knockout format; teams played each other on a home and away basis, with the aggregate points winner proceeding to the next round. The final was a single leg.
The competition began on 4 December 2004 and culminated in the final at Kassam Stadium in Oxford on 21 May 2005. Auch secured a victory over Worcester Warriors in the final and picked up their first piece of European Club silverware.
After this season, the European Challenge Cup reverted to its previous "pool and knockout" format and the European Shield was discontinued.
Teams
This competition was intended to be contested between 12 first round losers from the 2004–05 European Challenge Cup, plus 4 other Clubs that joined directly at the 1st Round of the Shield. AA Coimbra subsequently declined to play in the competition. England |  France |  Italy |  Portugal |  Romania |  Spain |
Leeds Tykes Worcester Warriors | Auch Bayonne | Catania Gran Parma L'Aquila Leonessa Petrarca Padova Rovigo | AA Coimbra | Valladolid RAC | |
Clube Rugby Lisboa | București | Bera Bera UC Madrid |