The International Rugby Board has made public comment for the first time on the impasse which threatens next seasons European club rugby competitions.
It has given a resounding rejection of the idea that English and Welsh clubs could ‘go it alone’ without sanction from their respective unions.
It is a move that brings closer a saving of the Heineken and Amlin Cup formats, albeit there will still likely be some significant changes.
Reports in English media overnight suggest that the IRB is looking for the Unions and Clubs go back to an agreed position from last October whereby a similar format to this year would be held involving clubs from across Europe, including the English Premiership, but that the competition be managed by the Six Nations as opposed to the existing European Rugby Cup Limited.
Agreement has also been reached in principle on means of qualification and financial sharing of the rewards from the tournaments, with the potential, allowed under IRB rules for different clubs to negotiate some of their own commercial deals as well.
With this year’s competitions heading towards the knockout stage and the Six Nations a mere six weeks away for 2014 time is something in short supply for a settled agreement. The IRB intervention may mean their playing a greater role in mediating a settlement, though nothing has been publicly said yet about the key commercial ingredient of the broadcasting rights.
Sky Sports have one agreement with European Rugby Cup Limited and BT Sport one of similar standing with the English Premiership clubs for the broadcast of European Rugby competitions. Both are seemingly exclusive which means something has to give and it is that, with all the money at stake which is critical to next season and beyond.
The IRB statement, issued in Dublin last night states:
“The IRB acknowledges and supports the commitment of the six nations Member Unions in their ongoing attempts to reach an accord for a genuine European competition that has Europe’s top players and fans at heart. However, despite progress on key terms for the future of European competition, the apparent lack of a common solution across the six nations Unions and their respective clubs, regions and provinces is of concern to the IRB.”
“In order to reach an outcome that is in the best interests of Rugby globally, the IRB will work actively with its Unions towards the goal of achieving a unified and acceptable outcome for all stakeholders involved.
“In the interests of the global Game, the IRB reaffirms that it will not support any cross border competitions that are not approved by the Unions of any participating clubs, Rugby bodies and host countries in full accordance with IRB Regulations and Bye-Laws.”
The Premiership Clubs in England reacted in a manner which could be determined as a softening of their stance with a statement that said:
“Over the past 18 months we have made several different proposals for a pan-European competition, including a tournament for developing countries. Everything we have put forward has had European club rugby at the heart and we understand that any proposal needs the support of the unions involved.”
It is ironic, and not unnoticed no doubt to English clubs that the headquarters of the Six Nations, European Rugby Cup Limited and the International Rugby Board are all located within 2 kilometres of each other in Dublin.
It will be an interesting and challenging few weeks ahead as a final resolution is sought.
