Plans are underway to introduce a rugby Club World Cup every four years that will include six teams from Super Rugby.
European Professional Club Rugby, which represents European clubs, said on Monday talks were ongoing about staging a global club tournament every four years that would complement existing competitions.
The reveal was prompted after French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte proposed an annual Club World Cup that would replace the European Champions Cup.
Laporte told Midi Olympique newspaper he’s mulled the idea with World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, England CEO Bill Sweeney, and the French Top 14 clubs. Laporte hopes to be elected the World Rugby vice chairman next month.
“Discussions have already taken place on an official level between EPCR and its shareholders regarding a global club tournament which could complement the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup and which could take place once every four years,” the EPCR said in a statement.
“Work on possible formats is ongoing with a collaborative approach and issues of player welfare to the fore.”
Laporte’s plan involved 20 teams: 4 from the Top 14, 4 from the English Premiership, 4 from the Pro14, 6 from Super Rugby, and the champions from Japan’s Top League and America’s Major League Rugby.
They would be divided into four pools, with quarter-finals through to a final, and played over six weekends in June and July.
Laporte believed a Club World Cup would generate far more profits than the European Champions Cup.
“The European Cup is magnificent, I was able to lift the trophy three times with Toulon and I know what it can represent,” Laporte told Midi Olympique. “But let’s be frank, it doesn’t generate enough income.
“I’m sure of one thing: We must create this competition and very quickly. It could be a breath of fresh air for the whole of world rugby. This (coronavirus) crisis must push us to be innovative.
“Let’s make this new competition, I’m sure that the public and television will follow.”
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Maybe a little too much. ????
AndyS
Guest
Not much different from what they do for the ERCC with Wales, Scotland, etc, so I doubt they'd be too worried about that level of detail.
Jacko
Guest
i didnt see it that way Nobes.....^ SR sides to me means the top 6 of the year ...That will very likely include the Jaguares
Jacko
Guest
Paul.....calendar dates are not set in concrete and it can all be changed.......How do you know there has been no SH involvment?.....What details do you have that say all the cash goes north? You are making a whole lot of stuff up that you have no idea about and if it worked out to be like you are saying then no SH sides would become involved......Therefore one can only presume that it would be made worth while for the SH to get involved but as i stated further up I like the concept so now lets weight until we see some details before discarding the idea. I have no idea what discussions are going on behind closed doors but for all we know it may well be part of a global championship and it may involve moving some dates on a calendar....We may or may not find out in the future but why dismiss the idea with no idea what the complete proposal is?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It’s not being gifted. That’s the format and you’ve earned it. It will be the same in any club championship where some teams in weaker competitions earn home finals.
Jacko
Guest
If its a 20 team comp then 19 teams will lose
Jacko
Guest
Agree....But topping your conference and then being GIFTED a top 3 spot even tho you finish 6th or 7th or lower on the points table is not earning the spot you are given
jacko
Guest
Cad it actually says SR sides so I guess they mean SR sides...
AndyS
Guest
They are as much clubs as the Top 14 or English Premiership teams. It is hardly like those are carrying around a bunch of grades or the like either. A senior team, some development players and an academy, that is pretty much all.
Paul
Roar Guru
Given the suggestion is to hold this tournament every 4 years,I'd guess the planners would aim to have the Lions tour in an off year
Nick
Roar Guru
How does that make ANY difference to what I said?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Would this affect Lions tours?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
But is is the World Club not franchises
Cadfael
Roar Guru
But these aren't club sides, these are franchises. It is the World Club World Cup. Would we be looking at clubs like Northern Suburbs or Sydney Uni from here or Raupo from NZ?
Cheikmate
Roar Rookie
Ferret, or Cheika in charge of the Wallabies haha
Cheikmate
Roar Rookie
They'd invite the MLR champs who'd (probably) lose to most SR teams?!
JSJ
Roar Rookie
Ferret, Sounds like you are enjoying this social isolation yourself.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
What the NH scouts will see is the super rugby sides crushing the European teams. The wealthy owners will then pressure their leagues to allow more foreign players into each team and thus the demand for more southern and pacific talent.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha... that is as laughable as the champion from MLR being invited. MLR get a mention as they want US $$ but twiggy is to smart to drop his wallet on this set up.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Lay off the crack pipe sunshine... the only reason the Tahs are the “heartbeat” of Aus rugby is because of the “good old boys” down at RA. This whole idea is dumber than putting Phil Kerns in charge of RA.