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“Peace in our time.” British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain would those words rue a year after uttering them, as war broke out across Europe in 1939.
Those words also sum up the recent end of a protracted battle in European club rugby that has lasted for two years.
As I wrote last year, the impasse of the English, Welsh and French clubs in regards to the Heineken Cup threatened to tear European club rugby apart. The possibility of no top European club competition remained a real possibility at the time. Although it has not been announced, English publications such as The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian suggest a breakthrough has been made with the future of European club rugby.
What has changed? The Heineken Cup and its organisers, European Club Rugby (ERC), will be no more after the end of this season’s Heineken Cup. Replacing it will be the European Rugby Champions Cup organised by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), consisting of the English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, French and Italian unions.
In addition, it also includes the English (Premiership Rugby), Welsh (Regional Rugby Wales) and French (LNR) club organisations. Moreover, EPCR will have their headquarters in Switzerland, moving from ERC’s headquarters in Ireland. Despite the move, both organisations are keen to have an orderly and proper transition of power from the ERC to EPCR.
The qualification process and number of teams competing in the European Rugby Champions Cup has changed. One of the main grievances of the English and French clubs was the qualification process to the Heineken Cup. Of the 12 teams in the English Premiership and 14 teams in France’s Top 14, only the top six of the respective leagues would qualify for the Heineken Cup. But with the Pro 12 it was different, as all twelve teams qualified for the competition automatically, much to the chagrin of the English and French.
Where 24 teams competed in the Heineken Cup, there will now be 30. While the top six teams in England and France have to qualify, it is the same for the Pro 12 as well. Though in the case of the two Scottish and two Italian teams in the Pro 12, the highest ranked Scottish and Italian franchise will qualify as well – but it will only be for next season.
Moreover, there will be a two-legged playoff tie between the seventh-placed teams in the Top 14 and English Premiership to decide the 20th spot.
Television rights, which were a factor among the English clubs, have been amended. Sky Sports UK currently has the Heineken Cup TV rights, as negotiated with ERC. This was one of the main stumbling blocks, but after months of hard work – mainly thanks to the chief executive governing body of English rugby (RFU) Ian Ritchie – a compromise was made between Sky Sports and BT Sport. BT had agreed to a conflicting deal for a European competition last year, sparking speculation the English clubs were to secede from ERC.
Under the principled agreement, Sky Sports and BT Sport will share the competition’s TV rights for the next four years. Both broadcasters will show live games of English clubs in the competition, as well showcase the final on both channels. Meanwhile, the French are reportedly working out their TV rights deal.
Though it will not be long until the announcement of this new competition (the Italians have delayed it while they seek assurances it will not hurt them), this news is excellent for European rugby. During the last two years, splits had occurred with the talk whether English clubs would even participate in European club competitions – a thought that would have horrified England’s head coach Stuart Lancaster, especially with the World Cup 18 months away.
With the agreement to be announced in the coming days, it helps solidify the future of European club rugby. With this agreement, it is reported that no union in the competition can serve a two years’ notice to leave for six years.
It seems a new age is upon us, and the revenue could increase astronomically as a result. Mark McCafferty, chief executive of Premiership Rugby, believes turnover could increase up to 70 per cent next season as a result of the agreement for the European Rugby Champions Cup. If so it would give a serious boost to the coffers of the English, French, Welsh and the other unions competing in the competition.
Add that to the money-spinning TV deal the French Top 14 enjoyed, where the five-year deal is worth €355 million overall, the Northern Hemisphere will be awash with cash. Many French clubs have acquired top quality players from the Southern Hemisphere, with the South Africans notable targets. Morne Steyn is at Stade Francais, Bryan Habana along with Bakkies Botha is at Toulon.
Mid-table clubs in the Top 14 are also starting to splash the cash, with tenth-placed Grenoble set to enjoy the services of South African winger Gio Aplon next season. Even Kiwi Rene Ranger is enjoying his time at Montpelier, who sit top in the Top 14 after a string of consistent performances as of late.
It will not be long before top players such as Quade Cooper, Aaron Cruden, Willie Le Roux, Israel Folau and Liam Messam will be tempted by the lucrative riches of the Top 14. It is why so many Argentines flocked to France prior to their inclusion in the Rugby Championship in 2012. Even talismanic All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter had a spell in Perpignan in 2009 before rupturing his Achilles after just five games.
Super Rugby players are making their way to the Pro 12 next season as well. Chiefs centre Bundee Aki will go to Irish province Connacht while Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata will go to the Cardiff Blues. The growing money will in the next few years lure marquee players from Super Rugby, especially as the TV rights in France or England grow.
Peace in our time is good news for Europe but could be bad for the Southern Hemisphere, especially Australia. Bill Pulver doesn’t need another nail in his coffin, especially when the Australian conference in Super Rugby is at its most competitive for years.
But as a man living in the Northern Hemisphere, I’ll enjoy the ending of a tumultuous period in European club rugby. The Heineken Cup may be dead, but here’s hoping the European Rugby Champions Cup replicates the glory of its predecessor.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.