THE ERC HOPES to kick-start negotiations aimed at saving the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups at a meeting in Dublin next month.
Tournament bosses today issued an invitation to all stakeholders “with the ultimate objective of finding a negotiated solution to the current impasse.”
The meeting, which comes amid fears that the English and French clubs will press ahead with plans for a breakaway tournament in 2014/2015, will take place on 23 October.
At a meeting in Dublin last week the ERC committed to negotiations on the major points of disagreement — revenue shares, qualification criteria and tournament format — and will now bring in mediators to assist in the process.
“The involvement of all parties in ERC’s make-up is as vital now as it was in the early days of the organisation”, ERC chief executive Derek McGrath said in a statement as he called for a positive approach.
“The only forum which can provide the platform for all-party negotiation under the Accord is the ERC forum and any attempt to ambush or denigrate the discussions is clearly not in the best interest of these great European tournaments.
“More than one year has passed since notice was served on the Accord and no proposal to date has received sufficient support to provide the basis for progress.
“This should not be seen as insurmountable, as agreement on European tournaments has always required compromise with an acceptance that no party will secure everything on their wish-list.
“The only way we ever made progress in previous Accord negotiations was by serious engagement on the part of all ERC decision-makers.
“The same positive approach is required now and it is hoped that all signatories to the Accord will dedicate their energy to the renewed process.”
I see the English have already rejected the chance of further negotiations with the ERC. The English clubs are meeting next Wednesday to decide the format of their competition. Should the IRB intervene at this point?
Why would the IRB intervene? The ERC were told about this over a year ago and did absolutely nothing. I know the IRB have to sanction any new cross border tournament but why would they try and block an Anglo-French one?
By ‘all parties in ERC’s make-up’ they are surely talking about the IRB. I imagine the ERC hope they will come and bring a bucket of cold water with them.
Have a look at Gerry thornleys piece in the Irish times. Gives an insight into the goings on. The English clubs just don’t want the hc cup saved. If it is they are screwed due to their deal with BT…
Agree good piece by GT, how can the English prem expect to run a successful European tournament when their own domestic league is a shambles.
Why wait so long?
Noticed that Sky Sports aren’t reporting anything about this story. Strange considering what they stand to lose if the Heineken Cup goes.
Funny David I had thought the same, very strange indeed but I guess they would say that may be fuel to the fire as Sky have such high viewerships. It was breezed over at best on the rugby club on sky last week.
Too little too late i fear.
Colin it’s up to the IRB to safe guard the future of rugby union. If they allow the breakaway then the long term future for Celtic rugby is not good. It would also set a precedent whereby clubs will be more powerful than the unions. I agree though that the ERC have handled this poorly but you have to ask if the English and French ever really wanted to negotiate. It seems to me that they just want away from the ERC. It’s about power.
A top tier competition where the best of the best compete should be everyone’s objective.The “Heino” to date has had an element of ” The Emperor has no clothes” about it
Always room for improvement. For those with ten minutes to spare, this is a very interesting solution provided gives food for thought. Personally I want things to stay as the Heieneken, ad although there are small faults it is amazing to watch.
http://www.rugbyworld.com/featured/europe-we-have-the-answer/
Good article. It’s hard to see the various groups involved been so enlightened.
Ok Richard but will we still have a pro d2 in France with teams that can be promoted or relegated? It wont work anyway you can do a league like the nfl with clubs and franchises. Lets scrap the Hcup anyway. It didnt improve anything. In the last ten years Irish provinces dominated the Hcup with mostly Irishplayers but at international level they ve achieved nearly nothing (just 1 grand slam which nearly went to Wales if they didnt miss the last kick)
None of the players or “stakeholders” as they like to be called can ignore Sky Sports as the revenue it gives out in sponsorship is massive. Where would the Premiership be without it?