ERC stakeholders have requested ERC to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the proposals for change to European club rugby tournaments for the 2014/15 season and beyond.
Following a productive meeting of representatives of ERC stakeholders in Dublin today (Tuesday, 30 October 2012), the two proposed format changes of a 20-club and a 32-club Heineken Cup, along with the current Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup tournament models, will be evaluated in detail.
This evaluation will examine the rationale for the proposed changes to both tournaments, as well as the impact on all stakeholders of any change to the format and structure of the competitions.
The evaluation will be completed during the six-week period before the fourth meeting of ERC stakeholders which will be held in London on Wednesday, 12 December.
The current Accord, which was agreed by all stakeholders in 2007, includes a two-year notice period which began on 1 June 2012 to allow for negotiations towards the formulation of a new Accord. The structure and format of both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup remain in place until the end of the 2013/14 season.
ERC Stakeholder Meeting attendees:
Jean-Pierre Lux (ERC Chairman)
Derek McGrath (ERC Chief Executive)
Rob Andrew (RFU)
Mark McCafferty (Premiership Rugby)
Bruce Craig (Premiership Rugby)
Michel Palmié (FFR)
Olivier Keraudren (FFR)
Patrick Wolff (LNR)
René Bouscatel (LNR)
Philip Browne (IRFU)
Peter Boyle (IRFU)
Fabrizio Gaetaniello (FIR)
Mark Dodson (SR)
Ian McLauchlan (SR)
Roger Lewis (WRU)
Steve Phillips (WRU)
Notes
• Representatives of ERC stakeholders have to date attended three meetings within the consultation process aimed at the formulation of a new Accord: 18 September 2012 (Dublin), 8 October 2012 Rome, 30 October 2012 (Dublin).
• 44 clubs from eight countries participate in the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup annually.
