psychic duck
International
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As has been rumoured for a few months now, the governing body of the Premiership (Premiership Rugby) has released am official statement signalling their unhappiness as to how the ERC currently runs their tournaments the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup, the statements "there is need for urgent dialogue about the future of European Cup rugby".
Whilst the unhappiness of the English teams had been thought for a while, it has also been thought that the French teams and their governing body the LNR are also unhappy at the way the ERC runs their tournaments, after this official statement by Premier Rugby, the French would be likely to support it and the ERRC put under pressure.
Here is the official statement from Premier Rugby ...
http://www.premiershiprugby.com/premiership/news/30894.php
Following recent media interest, Premiership Rugby confirms that it has given notice, effective 1stJune 2012, under the terms of the European Rugby Cup (ERC) Accord and understands that notice has also been served by other parties to the Accord. Such notice period expires at the end of the 2013/2014 tournament at which time, therefore, the Accord will terminate.
"We hope that there will now be an urgent dialogue about the future of European cup rugby, including qualification, competition formats and ambition to expand into new markets," said Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty.
One of the things which looks set to be discussed, is the current format of the competition which allows the Rabo Pro 12 sides who enjoy a much easier passage of qualififcation than the English and French teams, and also there have been complaints that the tournament has been "under exploited" and has potential to be much bigger, and expand into new markets.