The competition began with a series of matches on 23 October 2004 and culminated in the final at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford on 21 May 2005.

Teams played each other on a home and away basis, with the aggregate points winner proceeding to the next round.

For the third and final time, a third tier tournament was held - the European Shield.

Sale Sharks claimed a comfortable victory over Pau in the final and picked up their second piece of European Club silverware.

The allocation of teams was as follows: All kickoff times are local to the match location.