Heineken Cup: Broken?
If you posed the question, 'What will European Rugby look like in 2014?' very few would be able to answer with any degree of informed judgement, for the simple reason that the current Shareholder Agreement governing the structure of the Heineken Cup (HEC) comes to an end at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season.
Premiership Rugby are keen for the qualification criteria to be changed as part of a wider re-vamp, and to demonstrate the financial value of English and French Clubs. Their announcement of an exclusive four-year £152m deal with BT, pursuant to the serving of the formal two-year notice period to ERC to leave the accord, comes as no shock to the rugby world, yet the news has rocked European Rugby to its core.
Premiership Rugby (PRL), who have been on a noticeable recruitment drive in recent months, are under no illusions as to the drawbacks of the current competition and seem determined to gear themselves up for a heavyweight fight. With greater playing numbers than any other home union, and with more professional top flight teams, it's long been a bone of contention for the English and French clubs that they effectively eliminate each other during qualification, whilst the elite of other home unions, by comparison, get an armchair ride into the HEC.
Nigel Wray, Saracens' long-serving Chairman, a barometer of Premiership mood and a man noted for his persuasive abilities, is particularly vocal on this matter: "The Heineken Cup was set up by the Unions and fair play that they created it," he commented.
"There is no doubt that the English and French clubs contribute by miles the biggest part of the revenue and we don't get our just reward. That must be put right.
"The structure is clearly wrong in that we have to knock each other out to get into the tournament and all the other guys stroll in. And that's not right - we have to fight to get in and we provide most of the revenue. The terms have to be changed.
"I don't blame anybody in particular. If I was Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy - which is the majority and therefore out vote England and France - then I'd want to keep the situation as it is. That's perfectly normal. But from the point of view of England and France that doesn't make financial or rugby sense."
Food for thought indeed, and already the Pro12 Clubs have been vocal in their condemnation of PRL's actions, whilst ERC, the tournament delivery company, have been firing off missives of equal disdain, discrediting PRL's actions and suggesting that they are both contractually wrong and morally reprehensible.
Nevertheless, PRL are adamant that the competition is in dire need of a re-structure, and in particular, are keen to see the inclusion of the best of the 'emerging nations' such as Russia, Spain and Georgia. Sources close to PRL told Planet Rugby that, "The BT deal will provide the finance to create a framework of the new competition; one that is fair for all and allows the emerging nations to both develop and compete." If they are taken at their word, then their actions are understandable; if there are hidden agendas then these actions will come under huge scrutiny over the next few months as both ERC and PRL fight to determine the structure of European Rugby from 2014.
In the current structure, the Premiership and Top 14 are each guaranteed six clubs in the HEC, while Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy are allowed all of their teams bar one in the premier tournament. This is clearly an inequitable situation and one that PRL are keen to address.
PRL's thought process is to be more competitive, rather than nation specific. As we understand it, their proposal is to reduce to 20 clubs, have six teams each from the Premiership, Pro12 and Top 14, with two teams from the emerging nations making up the last two places. Yes, within that structure there is plenty of food for thought for Irish, Welsh and Scottish rugby, and those unions will be rightly vocal in their condemnation of the proposal. But when examined properly, one is forced to conclude that the revenue, playing and viewing numbers are far greater in both France and England, and therefore an adjustment in the format is well overdue.
Yes, PRL have ridden rough-shod over ERC, who, rather like the man who sold London Bridge to the Americans, have nothing to sell but have still granted exclusive rights to Sky post 2014! The simple truism is that post 2014 nothing exists, so any attempt to sell TV rights has a huge degree of speculation. PRL will claim that all they have done is uphold their own financial value and interests, whilst ERC will adopt a more left-wing stance of all the contributors getting an equal share, and denuding the individual value each union brings.
And what of BT? They're not fully sure yet of the scope of their purchase, nor their route to market. However a BT spokesperson has confirmed exclusively to Planet Rugby that, whilst exclusivity on the rights was essential, they consider this a very strategic move, to place TV content into their 'triple package' or '3-Pack' of telephone, broadband and TV, thus allowing them to compete with the likes of Virgin and Sky. They also confirmed their model will be a paid subscription channel rather than a matchday 'pay to view' scheme and assured us that potentially they will be opening up the content to other partners, refusing to rule out the possibility of terrestrial channels in those partnerships. ITV, we are assured, will continue their evening highlights package.
One of the greatest ironies of this deal is BT have effectively done to Sky what Sky did to the BBC 20 years ago - a classic case of the biter bit!
Whether or not this is a good move for the game is difficult to say; it all depends on your personal allegiance and agenda. One thing is for sure though - change is something that is needed from time to time and should, in the right situation, be embraced. The European competitions have been running for 14 years now and an overhaul is long overdue. Criticise the structure and proposals itself by all means, but it would be wrong to oppose or criticise this development on the basis of change alone.
By James While
This is an extract from our free weekly newsletter, The Crooked Feed. To receive future editions, subscribe by clicking HERE
Comments
Toulousain says...
@ Monkeyboy. I agree with you 100%. It breaks my heart to see players getting crushed by the current demands put on them. It would give me great pleasure to see ST's elite players play 12 T14 games, up to 9 (!!) HCup games and and 10/11 test matches per year.
The effect on the national team is becoming apparent too. Other than the miracle hat-trick of the most talented player of the last 30 years (he really is a GOD!), Ireland have never really scared us in Paris. Now, with the confidence that comes from regularly beating French club sides, Ireland come to Paris with no fear anymore.
T14 needs to change fast.
Posted 10:16 16th September 2012
jockstrap says...
Go ahead, let them change it, it's not going to stop Leinster, Munster, etc finishing in the top 6. Leinster have finished first in the PRO12 for the last two seasons, they'll rest their players just as much and still finish comfortably in the top 6 of the league while destroying teams at European level. What will change is this will negate all the progress the Italian and Scottish teams have made in the last 10 years.
Posted 00:07 16th September 2012
Monkeyboy says...
@toulousain So if you learn to understand how the Pro12 teams are improving why not follow their lead? Rather than hamstring them? Surely it would be better for Euro rugby for all sides to improve, rather than dragging down the pacesetters.
Posted 22:58 15th September 2012
Toulousain says...
@sincero. Thks for your reply. I think we are saying broadly the same things. Yes, the irish have won the cup in recent years. Fair and square. No whingeing. You beat the best we had to offer. But we are at least allowed to ask why, how, what is the secret of your success, no? I see it as a combination of 2 factors: 1) because you have improved a lot, and 2) because the T16 became the T14 thereby doubling the amount of games played by French clubs like ST.
I don't care about money. I am not a politician. I don't make the rules or pretend I understand all of them. All I know is that ST, a team I have followed for 40 years, has begun recently to lose games against teams like Edinburgh that we should NEVER lose. Meanwhile, a team like Leinster, who have not won ANYTHING for 35 years, have now started winning things in the last 5 years.
The Team GB cyclists at London 2012 were very successful. We French got annoyed that they had rounder wheels than us. It was a funny story in France! The Team GB director summed it up by saying "winning is the accumulation of minute advantages".
Are you really saying that being less tired, less injured, and better prepared is not the accumulation of such advantages?
I am not looking to "blame" a system. I am looking to "understand" and learn from our recent defeats.
Simple question for you. If Leinster and ST swapped leagues, do you think Leinster wld win T14? Do you think ST wld win Pro12? And who wld have better chance to win HCup?
Posted 21:32 15th September 2012
Sincero says...
Toulousain, thankfully you can not simply buy a team- money helps, but you can not construct pride and teamwork by bringing in mercenaries. Without restriction, you have a huge advantage. Actually, rugby is now the national sport in France for stadium attendance and for tv viewers. As a small country, we are not going to be able to generate that advertising turnover, Now, whether it's about money or about being poor losers is really neither here nor there. The English are seemingly in both camps- perhaps the French are too. However, the European Cup is the premier competition, and we've won that fair and square, knocking out the best you have to offer. So must we now weep because you, with all the money in the world, are a wee bit tired or nonplussed when match-day arrives? Guy Noves was sporting in defeat in Dublin- said that Leinster were just far better. The supporters equally. For you now to blame society or the system or whatever now is a load of bollox. I'd expect it of the English clubs, honestly. I'm very disappointed in the French.
Posted 20:25 15th September 2012
norm says...
Melkdave
Your arrogance is astounding. One thing you and Chesh10 seems to overlook which is a key part of the Rabo is the development of the game. The Rabo is a young league and it is improving the standard of rugby in the nations who sign up to it. Moreover consider who brought Italian rugby into serious competition? Had the Rabo not done so would PRL of the top 14 have invited them in? It is not the most competitive league? No it is not but year on yearit is improving and will continue to do so unless the self preservation of French and English clubs bullies a situation in which it is punished for being a league in development.
Once again PRL idiots like Wray and Barwell are looking to improve their own mercenary postion without a thought to the game outside their own clubs. No surprise really them and their kind were fighting with Clive Woodward before he had touched down in Heathrow in 2003, I do believe this is the reason he cited for his resignation, so if they dont care about their own national game why would we expect they would care about anyone elses. If player welfare is such an issue then why not take care of it and create the same system for ENgland and France as in the Rabo, no relegation! Heres the thing Italy, Scotland Wales and Ireland wouldnt dream of telling you how to organise your game so why the hell should PRL have the rules switched to suit there national game.
Do me a favour at least when you guys are making this argument drop the pretence that this is for the benefit of the game and admit this is for the benefit of English and French clubs. As somebody said earlier this wouldnt be an issue if England had won the tournament in the last years!
Posted 19:29 15th September 2012
Toulousain says...
@Sincero and others. ST, RCT, ASM etc have bigger budgets than Leinster but roughly the same size squads and many more tough games to deal with over the whole season. (T14 clubs already have salary caps and foreign player % limits - this is a separate issue, pls check the T14 website for details).
The question is, when it's 15 vs 15 on the field (and 7 vs 7 on the bench), what makes you win a game? Is it:
A: being paid more
B: being injury-free, well prepared, and up for it
If it were just A, French clubs wld presumably win the HCup every year?
Let's be clear. French clubs don't need more money. They need fewer games. So, pls stop saying "it's just about wanting more money" No it isn't. (well maybe for the English, I don't know).
Maybe you would like to tell Mourad or Jacky that they are poor relations and they need more money. Good luck with that!! They are living proof that money doesn't buy victories. Not unless the competition is fair and everyone plays the same number of games.
Maybe we shld just invite Leinster, Munster and Ulster to join T14? Wld be funny to see if they would make top 6 finishes to even qualify for HCup Or how far they would progress in the Cup with knackered/injured players. I guess we'll never see.
Posted 17:42 15th September 2012
Sincero says...
P.S. Ciarán nailed it. Leinster's recent main European rival ASM Clermont has 4 times our resources. Need we talk about ST and Toulon? Cap all salaries and have an even playing field- then let the players decide where is serious and where is not. You might find fewer transfers of big stars to Sale and crudholes like that, and more or a flow towards nicely situated clubs with a tradition and a decent rugby public behind them. Fair is fair.
Posted 14:01 15th September 2012
Sincero says...
melkdave usually talks out either his arse or his elbow, BTW. Usually the former.
Posted 13:49 15th September 2012
Waz4before says...
A very well written piece; both sides in this arguement have taken a "we're right, you're wrong" stance but the Anglo-French camp have had serious reservations for years now and ERC have failed to address them. And the arguement is about much more than how you qualify for Europe!
The Celtic fear is that finacially super strong English/French club sides will eventually dominate on the pitch starting a downward spiral comparable to the decline of Scottish and wesh soccer teams; their strategy in response has been to effectively hold a gun to England's head in particular and say "you need us, make one false move and we shoot" but it Seems they may have over played this one in not listening to calls for reform over the past two years or so ..
But England/France must realize any European cup is better off with at least one more strong competing nation, the Irish of late, and so must compromise by sharing their financial gains and helping to grow the Celtic nations or they will go the way of their soccer counterparts.
The issue of top 6 qualification is a no-brainer, but perhaps there needs to be a parachute payment of sorts to those that miss out but honestly, all sporting competitions are better for the drama of competition and the Pro12 will be no different if this is introduced and the Irish I think will still win the damn thing on a regular basis ..
Posted 13:42 15th September 2012
HenryFitz says...
Is this PRavda?
The current agreement gives 4 Unions 10 places between them, while the biggest 2 have 12. It is factually incorrect to state that all but one of the Pro12 teams gets in, and only a biased publication such as this one would allow such falsehoods to be published.
As for PRL and BT's risible claims that they'll expand the competition, they're just so much nonsense. Why kill the professional game in Scotland and Italy if you're looking to expand a tournament? Sure, they've talked themselves tumescent about a bigger cake for everyone, but what they really mean is bigger cake = bigger crumbs. They have no intention of equitable division or subsidy for growth.
The rest of the article is just silly. PRL have acted in contravention of an agreement made and ratified by them at ERC board level, which is at the very least dishonourable and mendacious. Anyone choosing to look upon that as heroic and a bright new dawn is either a cretin or a shill.
Posted 13:25 15th September 2012
melkdave says...
@Monkeyboy
The english clubs already have a salary cap ,and must have a very high percentage of home grown or english qualified players ,in fact a higher percentage than any Pro12 or T14 club need,Iam however open to a pan european salary cap ,that to me makes alot of sense ,and is i think the 1st decent arguement put forward from a celtic fan,that is viable and senseable.Also the french are starting a salary cap and quoatas for overseas players from next year,so maybe we ae half way to a pan euro cap already
Posted 13:03 15th September 2012
melkdave says...
@Ciaran1792
Oh please moaning about english and french clubs having bigger budgets ,smacks of nothing more than envy.The question should be why havent the Pto12 clubs got similar budgets??Answer their rspective unions just never developed the Pro12 as a viable exciting and meaningful league .You only have yourselves to blame ,as they had the exact same oppotunities.I also refute this BS about english /french clubs not complaing when they where wining5-6 years at least they have been asking this question,also i seem to remember Munster contesting at least 3 HEC finals and many epic games between english and celtic and french /celtic teams at the time so the Pro12 teams where as competative in that era,so much for any precived english/french advantage .
@MagicDragon
What has playing numbers got to do with anything??NZ are the most successful rugby country in the world internationally and club wise.,and have been for a longtime,with a population similar in size to Wales and Scotland .What a totally lame arguement
@Liam2me
Do you honestly think the french will join a weaker HEC after2014, with the same format as now Knowing they have the exact same concerns as the english clubs,or are they more likely to join a new competation that resolves those concerns .Living in dreamland ,and sticking your head in the sand again ,i think.
@TO ALL
Final point since when has it been PRLs remit to look after the Pro12 clubs or te ERC,its remit is to look for whats best for english clubs,and only english clubs ,just like the LNR will look after the interests of french clubs only.That after 5-6 years of waitng for a discussion on the issue of qualificationon on merit ,they obvisously have lost patience and hope .So have done something about it.The Pro12 clubs and unions dont like it ,well thats their perogative,but will have to still live with the consequences.
Posted 12:49 15th September 2012
Sincero says...
Sure, this happens every few years- the English wish to push for a bigger slice of the pie, or they'll take the ball home. At least in the past it came on the back of recent success. I watched both Ulster -v- Munster and Bath -v- Northampton last night, and the gap in class and intensity was huge! Keep watching Sky and believing your players are something special, and the rest of us will keep enjoying knocking you out of Europe.
Let's be clear- you're not competitive in Europe because you are not good enough. You have 10 players for every one Irish player, true. You have quantity, but not necessarily any quality. In a meritocracy, you'd already have far more than you deserve. That said, the current whinge about European Cup qualification needs to be sorted. We have 11 berths now in the Celtic because we won the cup last year (again). Usually we have 10, and you have 6, along with France. Well, boo and hiss, you cry? Unfair? Not really, if you consider the Pro12 is a EUROPEAN league, representing FOUR UNIONS, while the depressing league on show in England represents just one union. The only European league at present contributes more teams to the European Cup. Makes sense, no?
Personally, I'd like to see nationality taken out of the equation, and have the top 10 teams qualify, rather than the top 3 Irish and 3 Welsh, and automatic qualification for the Scots and Italians. That would make things fairer and more interesting. Zebre won't be ready this year, while Treviso and Connacht could/should make it on merit, and Edinburgh really should have missed out this year.
Meanwhile, however, stop moaning, Nigels. It'd be a paltry 'European' championship with only yourselves in it.
Posted 12:45 15th September 2012
chesh10 says...
well said melkdave...
i don't think they have a choice. All the talk of 'destroying' a nations rugby is nonsense. If the Celtic Nations are that worried, share out the financial benefits regardless of who qualifies. If not, making your league competitive beyond the top 4 will make the standard of your league better, leading to bigger attendances and bigger returns for the clubs. They have to make their league sustainable, and they could have talked about and accomodated the concerns of their 'partners' but now they may well be left scrabbling and their only option is to argue the deal is invalid...
Posted 12:44 15th September 2012
liam2me says...
The times offer a far more balanced, factual piece today they this publication has so far.
Posted 11:19 15th September 2012
papachinzo says...
Wow, how much are they paying you to push this? I doubt anyone outside of England cares or see's this replacing the H-Cup.
Will English Rugby ever learn its lesson ?
Posted 11:15 15th September 2012
liam2me says...
melkdave, you don't know your arse from your elbow.
This will backfire big time on the English. PRL have no interest in allowing lesser nations to grow, they just want more money. The Pro12 sides offer the better quality in the HEC followed by the T14, the AP is the bottom of the list.
The HEC ran successfully in 1999 without the greedy English, and if needs be, will do so again. If the ERC offered the French, who are appearing less greedy, less militant and much smarter by keeping their powder dry whilst the English spit their collective dummies, a better deal and they stay in the HEC, that will be the end of the top flight of English rugby (wave goodbye to all the foreigners who offer the quality that English players can't). Something I think the RFU will be happy to see as they can then take power back from the selfish PRL greedy scum.
And lets not forget Sky in all of this, they have worked well with the ERC for almost 2 decades, do you really think they would allow this to happen without a fight? I don't. This is going to backfire on England massively
Posted 10:39 15th September 2012
magic_dragon says...
This boils down to nothing more than pure greed. Of course the English and French contribute more revenue , playing and viewing numbers,they're far bigger countries with far bigger populations (excluding Italy)! If their respective leagues are so strong,why do they have to have their 'FAIR' slice of the pie from Europe as well? They talk about fairness,while at the same time wanting everything in their favour. I'll tell you where the future of European rugby lies,the extinction of the Scotish,Italian and Welsh regions / super clubs,the decline of Irish rugby,the PRL and T14 leagues flooded with even more 'foreigners' (mainly Welsh and Scots with nowhere to go) and the further decline of the English and French national sides due to this. But hey,lets not worry about that,lets do what's 'right' for them and to hell with everyone else. This reminds me of the time when the English thought they had outgrown Europe and wanted to join the Tri Nations,as long as we're Ok Jack. Anyone who can't see what's going on here is quite frankly an imbecile.
Posted 09:25 15th September 2012
ummagumma says...
@ Dannyboy- do you think we're bothered? After financing the populice of Scotland, your advantageous education system (especially HE) etc, hearing you bleat about independence and then coming back with your rugby begging bowl, you have a bit of a cheek!! Get over yourselves. You don't have much to offer, I'm afraid.
Posted 08:45 15th September 2012