More detail is emerging of the specifics behind the new Rugby Champions’ Cup though an expected announcement and signing of the deal which was expected today is now thought more likely to take place later in the week, with a confirmation of the breakdown between BT Sport and Sky Sports to be revealed as well within days.
The latter is believed to give BT Sport an advantage in its picks of the weekend games but Sky Sports will have access to English Premiership Clubs. BT Sport is free to view for BT Broadband subscribers in Britain and Northern Ireland but comes as part of a paid subscription package with Setanta Sports in the Republic of Ireland.
In order then for irish fans to guarantee live coverage of the tournament in the coming years there will be additional cost whether in buying a package, going to the pub or bringing presents to friends’ houses that have both sports packages.
The new tournament could be underway in as little as eight weeks with a play off involving the teams that finish below the automatic qualification places in England and France playing off over two weekends in May. At present this would involve Johnny Sexton’s Racing Metro.
It is believed there will be promotion and relegation between second and third tiers, currently the Amlin Cup and a new level involving teams from developing countries like Georgia, Spain and Russia.
A date of the first weekend in May appears to have been set already for the finals of the new tournaments, probably leading to a break in the shared billing with Soccers European Champions’ League which has grown up in recent years. This would be another knock to Heineken who have successfully promoted their association with both major tournaments as a ‘double header’ weekend.
