European Rugby Statement
By EPCR
April 10 2014
All nine stakeholders (listed below) are delighted to confirm that a Heads of Agreement ensuring the continuation and development of European club rugby competitions has been signed.
The parties have underlined their commitment to an invigorated competition which meets the requirements of all the parties involved. It is a truly meritocratic tournament, with appropriate division of finances, underpinned by a long-term agreement and strong governance, starting in the 2014/2015 season.
Overview:
3 cross border club competitions to be called The European Rugby Champions Cup, the European Rugby Challenge Cup and a new competition called the Qualifying Competition.
An association shall be established in Switzerland called 'European Professional Club Rugby' (EPCR). This body will be responsible for organising and managing the Cup Competitions.
European Rugby Champions Cup qualification:
20 clubs qualifying through the finishing positions in their leagues from the preceding season:
- top 6 from TOP 14
- top 6 from Premiership Rugby
- top 7 from PRO 12, with at least one club from each country participating in the league
- the 20th place will be taken by the winner of a play off between:
For the 1st season:
The 7th highest finishing club from TOP 14 and the 7th highest finishing club from Premiership Rugby. This play off will be played in May 2014, either as one match (in which case, there will be a draw for home advantage) or as home/away.
For subsequent seasons:
The 7th highest finishing club from TOP 14, the 7th highest finishing club from Premiership Rugby and the 8th and 9th highest finishing clubs from PRO 12 (or the 2 highest finishing which have not already qualified automatically).
From 2015 season, if the previous season's European Rugby Challenge Cup winner has not already qualified through its finishing position in its league, it will participate in the play off by taking a place given to its league.
The play off will take place over 2 dates.
- 1st date: 7th club of TOP 14 versus 8th or 9th from PRO 12 and the 7th club of Premiership Rugby versus 8th or 9th from PRO 12. The matches will be played at the home venues of the TOP 14 and Premiership Rugby clubs.
- 2nd date: The 2 winners from the first matches. The venue will be selected by a draw.
European Rugby Challenge Cup qualification:
- 20 clubs comprising 18 clubs from TOP 14, Premiership Rugby and PRO 12
- 2 clubs from the qualifying competition organised with FIRA-AER (Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur – Association Européenne de Rugby)
Format of both Competitions:
The competition will take place over 9 weekends. The Pool phase will be through 5 Pools of 4 teams which will play each other home and away (6 matches). The 5 Pool winners and the 3 best runners up will qualify for the Quarter Finals. The Quarter Finals will be played at the home venues of the 4 best Pool winners. The Quarter Final winners will play the Semi Finals and the Semi Final winners will play the Final.
Calendar of both Competitions: The Pool phase will be played in 3 blocks of 2 weekends and will be completed by the end of January. The Final will take place latest the first weekend of May.
The Qualifying Competition will compromise between 8 and 12 teams from Tier 2 countries and Italian clubs as agreed by EPCR & FIRA-AER.
EPCR will be managed through a Board of Directors representing all parties and an Executive committee in charge of commercial matters and assisting with preparations of Board meetings. The EPCR Board shall have an Independent Chairman.
The EPCR Executive will comprise the Independent Chairman, Director-General, and three voting representatives, one from each of the leagues – namely the TOP 14, Premiership Rugby and PRO 12. The Director-General shall manage the day to day operations of EPCR.
Competitions will be under the aegis of the IRB and run according to the IRB Laws Relating to the Game and IRB Regulations. The parties have also agreed to form a working party to discuss and propose the principles of an integration of European competitions within an all-encompassing European rugby framework.
A minimum eight year agreement.
Equal distribution of funds. i.e. A third to TOP 14 teams, a third to Premiership Rugby teams and a third to PRO 12 teams, with a guaranteed minimum distribution for the clubs from the Pro12 in years 1-5.
The nine parties are: Federation Francaise de Rugby (FFR), Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Ligue Nationale De Rugby (LNR), Premiership Rugby Ltd (PRL), Regional Rugby Wales Ltd (RRW), The Rugby Football Union (RFU), Scottish Rugby Union PLC (SRU) and The Welsh Rugby Union Ltd (WRU).
ERC Ltd. The parties take seriously their obligations to ERC and their staff and will ensure an orderly and proper transition to the new association
European Rugby Statement
Posted by: ComeAllWithin.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 18:27
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Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Tooting (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 18:30
I am happy with it, as long as Lux has nothing to do with the EPCR.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: PickledPelican (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 18:32
Peace in our time!
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: The Prof (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 18:39
The response from premiership rugby:
Premiership Rugby today commented on the confirmation by all parties that an exciting new set of European club competitions will start next season under the organisation of European Professional Club Rugby, a new association based in Switzerland.
"These new club competitions will create top quality sporting drama for our supporters and commercial partners across Europe," said Mark McCafferty, Premiership Rugby's Chief Executive.
"They deliver a stronger playing format for everyone. We are now entering a new phase of growth in the club game and alongside the three professional leagues, we're confident that the new competitions will go from strength to strength, as well as incorporate new markets over time."
The new formats are based on key principles which have been consistent throughout the negotiations:
- Qualification on merit;
- Strengthening of both competitions;
- Expansion into new markets; and,
- Fair financial distributions.
McCafferty added: "This is an historic day for European club rugby. The parties have worked hard to get to this point and the uncertainty is now over. However, there is little time to reflect as we have a great deal still to do to ensure both competitions fulfil their ultimate potential. Clubs in all three leagues are now battling for qualification and it is only just over five weeks until the Play Off for the final place in next season's European Rugby Champions Cup. There are exciting times ahead for supporters."
Premiership Rugby today commented on the confirmation by all parties that an exciting new set of European club competitions will start next season under the organisation of European Professional Club Rugby, a new association based in Switzerland.
"These new club competitions will create top quality sporting drama for our supporters and commercial partners across Europe," said Mark McCafferty, Premiership Rugby's Chief Executive.
"They deliver a stronger playing format for everyone. We are now entering a new phase of growth in the club game and alongside the three professional leagues, we're confident that the new competitions will go from strength to strength, as well as incorporate new markets over time."
The new formats are based on key principles which have been consistent throughout the negotiations:
- Qualification on merit;
- Strengthening of both competitions;
- Expansion into new markets; and,
- Fair financial distributions.
McCafferty added: "This is an historic day for European club rugby. The parties have worked hard to get to this point and the uncertainty is now over. However, there is little time to reflect as we have a great deal still to do to ensure both competitions fulfil their ultimate potential. Clubs in all three leagues are now battling for qualification and it is only just over five weeks until the Play Off for the final place in next season's European Rugby Champions Cup. There are exciting times ahead for supporters."
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Fearless Fred (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 18:47
No teams dropping down from the Champions cup to the Challenge Cup, I see. That's a good thing in my eyes
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Tooting (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 19:09
And a Challenge Cup winner takes one of the national spaces in the Champions Cup, that should generate interest in the Challenge Cup competition and make it very interesting in certain scenarios.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Fearless Fred (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 19:21
Quote:Tooting
And a Challenge Cup winner takes one of the national spaces in the Champions Cup, that should generate interest in the Challenge Cup competition and make it very interesting in certain scenarios.
It's not a certainty, though:
Quote:From 2015 season, if the previous season's European Rugby Challenge Cup winner has not already qualified through its finishing position in its league, it will participate in the play off by taking a place given to its league.
So they will still need to get through the play-offs. In some way, this will now probably be the hardest way to get into the Champions Cup, as they'll need to win the Challenge Cup, be struggling to try to qualify through Domestic competitions, and if they don't, they then have to go into a shoot-out with the other "nearly-rans".
BT to get the first pick of Champions games, and Sky get the first pick in the Challenge cup:
Prem Rugby Statement
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: kevin (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 20:32
War and Peace ...didnt get it! Lord of the Rings...dont think I ever finished it! ...?
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Samquin (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 22:33
Still can't understand why the Pro 12 get 7 places. it should be 6 from each league and either play offs or previous winners covering the last 2 places.
And it should be the best 6 not second best teams because they want their country represented.
And it should be the best 6 not second best teams because they want their country represented.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: RodneyRegis (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2014 22:59
Playoff and 2nd tier winner.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: ianco (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 09:24
The seventh Rabo team was about the only give up from the French and English clubs in the negotiation. Just about everything else they said they wanted, they have achieved. They played their had very well.
The Irish are the biggest losers, although they will still be a strong force with three top clubs, but the odds won't be tilted their way quite so conveniently in the future.
The second tier trophy will really benefit from have more Rabo teams in it. And who knows it might be possible for a Treviso or Glasgow to win it.
The Irish are the biggest losers, although they will still be a strong force with three top clubs, but the odds won't be tilted their way quite so conveniently in the future.
The second tier trophy will really benefit from have more Rabo teams in it. And who knows it might be possible for a Treviso or Glasgow to win it.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Dave1 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 10:40
Wonder where the final will be? HC was due to be in Italy next year if i remember correctly. Also hope the ditch the friday nights for the 2nd tier final.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: akb1 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 10:51
Quote:European Rugby Champions Cup qualification:
.the 20th place will be taken by the winner of a play off between
From 2015 season, if the previous season's European Rugby Challenge Cup winner has not already qualified through its finishing position in its league, it will participate in the play off by taking a place given to its league
So the winner of the Rugby Champions Cup doesn't gain automatic qualification for the following seasons tournament or a playoff position, but the winner of the challenge cup gets does get a playoff position.
I guess the expectation is that a Champions Cup winner would most likely qualify anyway based on league position, but its not guaranteed.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Sketchley (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 13:00
So qualification is "top 7 from PRO 12, with at least one club from each country participating in the league"
Does this mean Wales and Ireland only have one guaranteed place? So you could end up with all 4 teams from Ireland then one each from Wales, Scotland and Italy?
Does this mean Wales and Ireland only have one guaranteed place? So you could end up with all 4 teams from Ireland then one each from Wales, Scotland and Italy?
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Brown Bottle (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 13:07
Quote:Does this mean Wales and Ireland only have one guaranteed place? So you could end up with all 4 teams from Ireland then one each from Wales, Scotland and Italy?
Indeed.
BB
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Sketchley (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 13:25
Quote:Brown BottleQuote:Does this mean Wales and Ireland only have one guaranteed place? So you could end up with all 4 teams from Ireland then one each from Wales, Scotland and Italy?
Indeed.
Not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be the two each from Ireland and Wales plus one each from Italy and Scotland. Then the next highest finisher....
I prefer it this way....
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Brown Bottle (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 13:41
Quote:Not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be the two each from Ireland and Wales plus one each from Italy and Scotland.
I've not heard that being suggested; but I doubt very much the Irish would have gone for it.
BB
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Fearless Fred (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 13:44
Quote:Brown BottleQuote:Not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be the two each from Ireland and Wales plus one each from Italy and Scotland.
I've not heard that being suggested; but I doubt very much the Irish would have gone for it.
That's something I mooted a while back, based on each country getting the top 50% of their teams in (7 Fr, 6 Eng, 2 each Wal, Ire, 1 Each Sco, Ita, with the 20th being the Challenge Cup winner).
I hope the other three countries make a good fight of it so that it doesn't become a regular thing of it always being 3 Irish teams qualified.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Myball (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 15:03
Quote:Fearless FredQuote:Brown BottleQuote:Not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be the two each from Ireland and Wales plus one each from Italy and Scotland.
I've not heard that being suggested; but I doubt very much the Irish would have gone for it.
That's something I mooted a while back, based on each country getting the top 50% of their teams in (7 Fr, 6 Eng, 2 each Wal, Ire, 1 Each Sco, Ita, with the 20th being the Challenge Cup winner).
I hope the other three countries make a good fight of it so that it doesn't become a regular thing of it always being 3 Irish teams qualified.
You're assuming that there are 6 English teams good enough to challenge for a European cup. Only two made the knockout this year and both had an Italian side in their group.
If English teams don't start winning the competition, and winning it regularly, then more toys will be thrown. Now that the playing area has been levelled to English / French demands I expect no more whining when ye lose.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:04:11:15:06:31 by Myball.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Jammy Git (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 16:11
I'm sure we will. After all, we were promised by Irish rugby fans that any change to the HEC would be the death of Irish rugby. So by default you won't be there to face us and rain on our parades.
Unless, of course, the doom mongers were wrong...
O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis
Unless, of course, the doom mongers were wrong...
O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Monte (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 16:15
Alan Quinlan on Rugby Club moaned that there should be 24 teams not 20 which is the whole point of the change!
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: ianco (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 16:21
The English have always been moderately successful in the Heineken and Amlin Cups. The Irish have over achieved and perhaps this might lessen over the next few years.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Fearless Fred (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 16:27
Oh, the competition should only be for those with a chance of winning it? I'll let you, Myball, tell the Welsh, Scots, and Italians that there's no place in the competition for them.....
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Myball (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2014 16:44
Quote:Fearless Fred
Oh, the competition should only be for those with a chance of winning it? I'll let you, Myball, tell the Welsh, Scots, and Italians that there's no place in the competition for them.....
Irish rugby fans are not the ones whining about the presence of Italian sides, that was the position of the English and French. Can't see what 7th placed teams from the leagues will bring to the table, 7th in the AP or T14 is as bad as 7th in the Pro12. Meritocracy my eye.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:04:11:16:59:43 by Myball.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: deadlyfrom5yardsout (IP Logged)
Date: 14/04/2014 09:08
I have absolutely no problem with the Italian sides being accomodated and tbh I cannot recall anybody in English Rugby making any noises about it either.
In fact, I would love to see a sugar daddy invest heavily in an Italian franchise so that they could compete on a level playing field with IRFU funded Irish teams.
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
In fact, I would love to see a sugar daddy invest heavily in an Italian franchise so that they could compete on a level playing field with IRFU funded Irish teams.
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Jammy Git (IP Logged)
Date: 14/04/2014 09:39
Quote:MyballQuote:Fearless Fred
Oh, the competition should only be for those with a chance of winning it? I'll let you, Myball, tell the Welsh, Scots, and Italians that there's no place in the competition for them.....
Irish rugby fans are not the ones whining about the presence of Italian sides, that was the position of the English and French. Can't see what 7th placed teams from the leagues will bring to the table, 7th in the AP or T14 is as bad as 7th in the Pro12. Meritocracy my eye.
Really. You don't think 7th place in the AP brings anything?
Because currently that's Exeter Chiefs, who this season got as many wins (2) as Montpellier, Scarlets, Glasgow, Castres, and more than Ospreys, Zebre, Racing Metro, Treviso, and Perpignan.
And it was clear on their first season in the HEC that they were a worthwhile addition, giving Leinster an almighty scare in Dublin.
7th in the Pro 12 are Edinburgh, who stank the place out to the tune of repeat 50 point thrashings last season, but improved this season.
The fly in the ointment there are Connacht, who've had a good run this season and are always a tough team for us to face, but usually roll over and present a big score for someone. They've done well to stop being the equivalent of an Italian side, mostly on the back of their home performances.
The Top14 sides are impossible to predict; if they take the European competition seriously the vast majority of them are actually tough opponents.
O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Myball (IP Logged)
Date: 14/04/2014 15:45
The AP is on a par with the PRO12, make of that what you will.
Sale v Quins on Friday night was a poor game despite the gushings of BT. Munster v Glasgow on Saturday was tripe, I hadn't the stomach for any other matches.
Sale v Quins on Friday night was a poor game despite the gushings of BT. Munster v Glasgow on Saturday was tripe, I hadn't the stomach for any other matches.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: RodneyRegis (IP Logged)
Date: 14/04/2014 15:59
You misunderstand the AP Myball. The Sale Quins game was not poor, however there was a massive amount at stake for both sides. Because there is a lot more riding on the AP than there is on the Rabo, teams are often a lot less willing to take risks. The players also have to play more games in a season, so injuries and fatigue are more of an issue.
I dare say you will understand better next year, when the fringe sides make more of an effort to get into the top-tier positions.
I note you didn't bother watching the Sarries Saints match.
I dare say you will understand better next year, when the fringe sides make more of an effort to get into the top-tier positions.
I note you didn't bother watching the Sarries Saints match.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Myball (IP Logged)
Date: 14/04/2014 16:59
Unfortunately I can't spend ALL my time watching rugby.
The playing of more games is a constant criticism of the Pro12, T14 teams make sweeping changes from one week to the other with scant comment. No slight on Quins win in Paris but SF fielded a very different team than their usual league side, didn't hear much complaining.
The playing of more games is a constant criticism of the Pro12, T14 teams make sweeping changes from one week to the other with scant comment. No slight on Quins win in Paris but SF fielded a very different team than their usual league side, didn't hear much complaining.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: deadlyfrom5yardsout (IP Logged)
Date: 14/04/2014 17:11
It was not our full strength side either.
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Myball (IP Logged)
Date: 14/04/2014 17:14
So both clubs not taking European competition seriously. Were Quins resting players? Surely not!
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: RodneyRegis (IP Logged)
Date: 14/04/2014 17:28
We don't have any players to rest, unfortunately.
It was pretty much our strongest side available.
It was pretty much our strongest side available.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Jammy Git (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2014 09:17
Quote:Myball
So both clubs not taking European competition seriously. Were Quins resting players? Surely not!
We've had an horrific injury list all season. Please stop being daft.
O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: ChequeredJersey (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2014 10:25
It was pretty much the only 23 fit players we had...
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: ChequeredJersey (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2014 10:46
Sale vs Quins poor? Can safely ignore Myball's opinion henceforth
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: RodneyRegis (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2014 11:05
Quote:ChequeredJersey
Sale vs Quins poor? Can safely ignore Myball's opinion henceforth
Congrats. the rest of us got to that point about 6 months ago...
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Myball (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2014 13:31
Yet you still reply.
As a neutral I found it a poor game, a number of Quins fans don't agree. Opinions are subjective, not right or wrong.
As a neutral I found it a poor game, a number of Quins fans don't agree. Opinions are subjective, not right or wrong.
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: ChequeredJersey (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2014 18:12
I didn't say your opinion was objectively wrong, just that this was evidence that your taste is clearly so different to mine that your subjective opinion cannot hold any merit for me and thus I shall ignore it
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Steve_W (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2014 18:33
Overall this is a good deal. My only reservation is that the rewards from the Challenge Cup have been reduced, and it may become a throw away competition.
When ERC introduced the knocked out Heineken clubs into the Amlin (as in Quins this season) I was initially critical,but ERC also increased the seeding points for winning the competition. It made winning the Amlin tougher but really worthwhile. But no longer...
I can't see a simple way the Challenge Cup could be rewarded under the new system. Cash perhaps?
When ERC introduced the knocked out Heineken clubs into the Amlin (as in Quins this season) I was initially critical,but ERC also increased the seeding points for winning the competition. It made winning the Amlin tougher but really worthwhile. But no longer...
I can't see a simple way the Challenge Cup could be rewarded under the new system. Cash perhaps?
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Fearless Fred (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2014 18:49
Well, as the winner of the Challenge Cup enters the play-offs for the following years Champions Cup, there's still some benefit to winning the thing. Plus, as the Top level clubs *don't* drop down, then it means that it's a more level competition (at least in my eyes).
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: Brown Bottle (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2014 13:36
Quote:Plus, as the Top level clubs *don't* drop down, then it means that it's a more level competition (at least in my eyes).
Maybe, but easier to win and therefore less meaningful.
I've always felt the teams dropping down boosted the Amlin. Had they retained it, it would also mean that coming second in the ERCC pool would always be rewarded.
BB
Re: European Rugby Statement
Posted by: T-Bone (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2014 18:17
Good article on BBC website about the role Ian Ritchie played, and Beaumount to a lesser extent. Both deserve a lot of credit. I'm sure our Irish friends will be the first to agree.............
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