The future of European Club rugby remained distinctly out of focus yesterday as those behind the existing arrangement for the Heineken and Amlin Cups and the other side led by English clubs determined to launch a Rugby Champions’ Cup traded statements of intent. It could be though that three words in one might show a way out of the gloom.
The Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Italian and French Unions confirmed they would proceed with a 20 team tournament in 2014 and 2015 stating at 7pm that “A European club competition is to take place during the 2014/15 season following an optimised sporting and economic format with 20 teams, no matter how many countries are involved.”
“The competition will be driven by the existing organisation (currently named ERC) which will remain in charge of the centralised sale and management of all commercial rights, amongst other things.”
“Discussions over governance will be pursued in order to optimise the internal functioning of the existing organisation (currently named ERC).”
“The common aim is to move eventually towards the integration of European competitions within all-encompassing European rugby framework.”
A statement issued 83 minutes later by the English Premiership clubs noted “There is no detail concerning the teams involved or the competition format given the absence of so many teams.”
“The English and French clubs served notice on ERC and its competitions on 1st June 2012 and the required notice period concludes after the end of this season when the Accord will terminate.”
“Today’s announcement would appear to indicate that the latest negotiations have been ended, as was the case in September 2013.”
“As a result, we shall continue to implement the plans underway for the Rugby Champions Cup with the declared participants in time for the 2014-15 season, as required by our clubs and communicated in the joint statement of 10 September 2013 and subsequent media statements.”
There was no reaction from the two broadcast giants who are lined up in opposite corners. Likewise there was no comment from Heineken as the major sponsors since the inception of what has been the success of the European Rugby format to date.
Both statements had the look of ones that had been passed before the eyes of solicitors and there remains a strong fear that this dispute will end in the courts.
Reading between the lines the three words that struck Sport for Business were those which referred to ‘the existing organisers’ (currently named ERC).
From the outset we have suggested that the English RFU, notable by their absence from last night’s statements are too busy and focused on the Rugby World Cup 2015 to want to take on the running of the club tournaments. The ERC itself has built a tournament that has worked in terms of logistics, reputation and commercial return.
Areas of representation and financial splits between the countries have largely been resolved, albeit without formal agreement and common sense should dictate that the other matters of governance can be resolved without any loss of face.
The one remaining poser would then be the TV deal. BT Sport have more money on the table and an exclusive deal with the English clubs. Sky Sports have a similarly exclusive deal with European Rugby Cup.
But if European Rugby Cup as it is ‘currently named’ was to cease to exist all its contracts may be ended. And if a new organisation, with similar personnel and experience was to be formed under a different name, then two exclusive deals could become one.
It would certainly not be accepted without a fight by Sky Sports but it may be the way that European Rugby emerges from the fog that has lain over it of late.
And with a bid taking shape for Ireland to host a Rugby World Cup in 2023 it is in our interest to find common purpose with our nearest allies rather than creating a hostage to fortune around the biggest prize.
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