BRENDAN GALLAGHER ON THE RUGBY VISIONARIES WHO, AFTER A SLOW START, CHANGED THE GAME
Brendan Gallagher looks back at the first steps which saw competition across Europe grow into the success it is today

PRIOR to the launch of the Heineken European Cup in 1995 the concept of a European club competition or an even wider ranging club competition was far from new, with the French, as you might expect, taking the lead. Ever inward looking and Anglo centric however, rugby had dithered and prevaricated horribly. The thought of expanding the game’s appeal and widening geographic reac...