Say hello to the snappily titled European Rugby Champions Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
After what feels like years of wrangling about the future of European club rugby, a deal between all the parties involved has finally been reached tonight.
In short, the initial beefs that the French and the English clubs had have been resolved. This is now, as quoted on the RFU website ‘a truly meritocratic tournament’ and will be under the management of a body called ‘European Professional Club Rugby’ (EPCR).
Made up of the six Unions, the Welsh regional and the two leagues (Aviva Premiership and Top 14) this nine-body management committee will oversee three tournaments; European Rugby Champions Cup, the European Rugby Challenge Cup and the Qualifying Competition.
The Champions Cup will differ from the Heineken by having the top six from Top 14, the top six from Premiership Rugby and the top seven from Pro 12, with at least one club from each country participating in the league with various play-off formats deciding the 20th and final participant based on league positions just outside the automatic spots.
The Challenge Cup will feature 20 teams too. Eighteen will be from the Top 14, Premiership Rugby and Pro 12. The other two will be selected from the Qualifying Competition. The winner, if not automatically qualified for the Champions Cup by league position, will enter the play-offs for a place the following season.
The eight to 12 team Qualifying Competition will be made up of teams from Tier 2 countries and Italian clubs.
As for TV, BT and Sky will share the rights for the next four years. Both will show two quarter-finals each, one semi-final each and the final would be broadcast by both live.
The full statement can be read on the RFU site here.
