Waiting game: European Rugby
European Rugby Cup Limited (ERC) is set to study two alternative proposals tabled by the PRO12 and a combined English and French club effort.
This comes a step forward in the saga following two fruitless meetings and a recent controversial one where Premiership Rugby were not invited.
English and French clubs have tabled a 20-team tournament while the PRO12 proposal is for a 32-team campaign, which the ERC will now assess.
It's expected the results of the evaluation will be presented at the meeting of ERC stakeholders, which is to be held in London on December 12.
The formerly mentioned proposal would mean all teams would need to qualify on merit so as to remove the guaranteed places for outfits in the PRO12. Meanwhile, the latter idea would be for the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup to be replaced with one big competition, which the French snubbed. Premiership Rugby and their French counterparts don't like that idea as it would leave the bottom two clubs in their league without European rugby.
"This evaluation will examine the rationale for the proposed changes to both tournaments, as well as the impact on all stakeholders of any change to the format and structure of the competitions," the ERC said in a statement.
Comments
papachinzo says...
The way it is now is perfect, every country has at least two teams in the Heineken...
So what if Connacht Exeter Racing Metro and Zebre are in it, There are only two capable teams in each group anyway.
The only thing that should change, is the way the pool groups are assembled.
Connacht and Zebre in the same group is a joke...
Posted 12:54 31st October 2012
porridge_time says...
The English and French want a smaller ERC as they both have the agenda of turning their respective leagues in to the worlds best domestic competition. Centralizing the worlds top players to their shores. Dictating the terms of the ERC to 20 team comp will hamper the growth of the smaller European nations and the English know this only to well.
Posted 12:38 31st October 2012
Davoust says...
32 teams ??? The pools level is already weak enough now ... Biarritz and Munster will probably qualify because they have lucky pools.
Posted 11:24 31st October 2012
ste490 says...
Qualifying on merit is the best and fairest option.
Posted 10:25 31st October 2012
melkdave says...
I have to say the 32 team proposal doesnt look inviting ,the competion ,would have to be extended It would involve more games for players ,thus maybe breaking IRB guidelines on player welfare.Or totally wreck the AP and T14 as viable leagues,where english and french clubs earn 80% of their revenue.Doesnt matter to the irish ,scottish or italian clubs ,as they are all funded by their unions ,but to clubs not funded by unions ,it just doesnt look good at all.Annother consequence would be the complet marginisation of the Pro12 ,.It would become completly irrevalent ,and a teir 2 league equivalent to the all irish or principality leagues now .
Posted 10:16 31st October 2012
seapointer says...
pro 12 is a good idea - all teams bar the newluy promted french/english teams in the mix. being realistic the newly promoted teams would probably prefer not to have the extra matchs and prefer to concentrate on leadue form - good idea if we need a change that is
Posted 10:00 31st October 2012
froggy73 says...
32 teams ??? The PRO12 proposal is rubbish, irrealistic and there is no way the English and the French will accept that. Basically the PRO12 proposal is even worse than the actual HEC formula. Not a chance ! Please retake your exam. 0/10
Posted 08:36 31st October 2012