Welsh get Euro Cup deadline of October 31
Premier Rugby Ltd, the driving English force behind the concept, are to hold talks this week with the Welsh regions aimed at breaking the Celtic Unions’ refusal to abandon their control of the endangered Heineken Cup.
The latest development in the power-struggle for Europe gives the Welsh quartet slightly more than three weeks to make a momentous choice – staying away from the Champions’ Cup as demanded by the WRU or defying their Union and signing up.
“We are pushing on with arrangements for the Champions’ Cup,” PRL chief executive Mark McCafferty told The Rugby Paper as the worsening crisis overshadowed this week’s Cup launch, marking the last appearance of English and French teams in the event run by European Rugby Cup Ltd.
“We have various meetings with the French clubs over the next ten days. We will also be talking to the Welsh regions during the coming week to get further clarification of their position.
“They probably do want to be part of the Champions’ Cup but there are various issues to be discussed. Ultimately, they need to decide for themselves with the Welsh Rugby Union. I have sympathy for their position. Various teams from different countries would like to join and are in the process of deciding.
“We are looking towards the end of October to resolve the format of the Champions’ Cup. We need to know by then so we can further our commercial discussions.
‘That’s the time-table we are working to. The situation will develop from week to week and I am sure the position of the Welsh regions will develop as well.
“We very much hope they will be a part of it. They are closer to the club set-up than most in the European theatre.”
While the Anglo-French clubs see no point in talking to ERC’s official mediator, the Canadian lawyer Graeme Mew, McCafferty does not dismiss the attempt by WRU chief executive Roger Lewis to broker a peace deal.
“We are always prepared to listen,” McCafferty said. “If there are tangible things to discuss, it always makes sense to talk. It can’t just be about a general concept.
“We don’t want to be going round in circles any more over the same issues. It’s got to be about specifics.”
Despite implacable Union opposition, McCafferty says he is confident the Champions’ Cup will get off the ground without the row ending up in the courts.
“I don’t think it will,’ he says. “If for any reason people want to oppose the Champions’ Cup, the question they then have to ask is: ‘What’s the viable alternative?’
“We don’t believe there is one. What we do believe is that Rugby Champions’ Cup represents the best solution for all the stakeholders.”
The four Welsh regions acknowledge they face financial ruin without a European Cup which would be heavily devalued without the English and French. Their choice is a stark one – no Europe or the Champions’ Cup?
PETER JACKSON
