Rugby Champions Cup Formed by LNR and PRL

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/28965.php#.Uj7OaT-C8bQ

The announcements by Premiership Rugby and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) on 10th September confirmed that the Top 14 and Premiership Rugby clubs had instructed their leagues to put in place a new competition in time for the 2014/15 Season.

It is now confirmed that the competition will be named the Rugby Champions Cup.

The Rugby Champions Cup will be open to teams from all three leagues in Europe.


The competition will be based on the principles of qualification on merit, a strong competition format, equality between the leagues, higher commercial values for the teams and expansion into new European markets.


The Top 14 and Premiership Rugby clubs have already confirmed their participation in the new competition and a joint working group has been created to prepare all necessary elements in good time for the 2014/15 season.


Further details concerning the competition format, marketing and financial aspects of the Rugby Champions Cup will be communicated in October.

What we have here is a vague press release with no new details but at least there's now a name to the proposed competition.

I'm guessing the further details concerning the competition format, marketing and financial aspects of the Rugby Champions Cup will be announced the day before ERC's next meeting for maximum disruptive impact.

What I don't see is how The Rugby Champions Cup will be open to teams from all three leagues in Europe and expansion into new European markets are immediately compatible. Either it's open to just the 3 leagues or it's open to teams from all across Europe as Premiership rugby first stated months ago when wanting to create a 3rd tier of European competition.

 

[Gavin]

What a boring name for the competition.

Would be even more special for the winner of the Heineken Cup this year as it might be the last.

 

[McTallshort]

What we have here is a vague press release with no new details but at least there's now a name to the proposed competition.

I'm guessing the further details concerning the competition format, marketing and financial aspects of the Rugby Champions Cup will be announced the day before ERC's next meeting for maximum disruptive impact.

What I don't see is how The Rugby Champions Cup will be open to teams from all three leagues in Europe and expansion into new European markets are immediately compatible. Either it's open to just the 3 leagues or it's open to teams from all across Europe as Premiership rugby first stated months ago when wanting to create a 3rd tier of European competition.

The current HC is only open to 3 leagues despite claims that development is a key objective.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

@Tallshort.
I never denied that. ERC is a self serving competition in need of reform. It doesn't change the hypocrisy of LNR/PRL's statement either.

 

[St George]

The Rugby Champions Cup is supposedly open to invites, so the actual participating teams beyond the Franglais has not been established. There is nothing to stop nations outside of the 6N from taking part at the moment.

But only when more nations take part, other than just France & England or even the whole 6N, will it become a true Euro Comp.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Does this mean only champions can participate? Given the name and all...

 

[St George]

I think a precedent has been set with the Champions League, so what the ***le is doesn't necessarily signify anything.