A report in today’s Sunday Times [no link] suggests that English and Welsh teams will ask Irish and Scottish teams to join new competition next season.
We are now into 2014 and we are still no clearer what, if any, European competition the Irish provinces will be able to play in next season. Neither the Heineken Cup, or the Rugby Champions Cup, appears to be viable and all attempts at compromise and hybrid competitions have failed to garner enough support so far.
In today’s Sunday Times, Stephen Jones reports on a new option for Irish teams, though whether they fancy it remains to be seen. The British and Irish Cup is currently a competition for second tier clubs (the Irish provinces enter their ‘A’ teams) but a beefed up version is now being proposed for 2014-15.
According to the report, 12 Aviva Premiership teams, plus the four Welsh regions would be involved and they hope that the four Irish provinces, and the two Scottish ones, will join them. Essentially a Heineken Cup without the French and Italians, it is unclear if the IRFU would be willing, or able, to sanction a move into this new tournament.
In terms of exposure, revenue and playing level for internationals it would be better than nothing but that may not be enough for the IRFU. For the English teams it makes sense and the Welsh regions, cut loose from the Welsh Rugby Union this week, may see it as their only lifeline too.
The report goes on to say that BT Sport would broadcast the proposed new tournament and an Anglo-Welsh league, essentially the Premiership with the four Welsh regions, is also in the pipeline.
One to watch we suspect.
