EUROPEAN RUGBY CUP Ltd, the Five Nations body responsible for running the European Cup, has come up with a two tier competitive structure for next season. In addition to the main competition, the European Cup, which will embrace 20 teams, there will be a second competition comprising 24 team which will be known as the European Conference.
In opting for a two tier structure the FRC are responding to the stated wishes of clubs in Britain and France. Ireland will again be represented by provinces, in line with stated IRFU policy.
Connacht will be one of the 24 teams competing in the European Conference, thus giving a very timely and welcome boost to the game in the West of Ireland and helping stem the flow of some of Connacht's best players to other provinces. London Irish newly promoted to the English First Division, will also compete in the Conference. As with this season, Leinster, Munster and Ulster will compete in the European Cup.
The new structure was announced by ERC yesterday and they have put together a £50 million sponsorship and television package. This season's European Cup was financed by TV and Heineken and they have now been joined by French TV channels FR2 and FR3. Further finance will be generated by ground advertising and local sponsors, moving the money up to £50 million from the previous £40 million.
Additionally, further sponsors hips and television rights for the European Conference are currently being negotiated. This should end the suggestions that have been current in England and Wales, and to a lesser extent in Ireland, that ERC would not be able to produce such an attractive package.
Twelve teams competed in the European Cup this season. That has been increased to 20, with English clubs and Scottish Districts now involved. There will be four pools, with five teams in each pool. England will be represented by Bath, Leicester, Harlequins and Wasps Wales by Cardiff, Llanelli, Neath and Pontypridd. But while those teas are guaranteed to finish in the top four in Wales, the championship has not been completed, so the finishing order has not been finalised.
Toulouse and three other clubs yet to be determined will represent France. Edinburgh, South of Scotland and the district side North and South have entered from Scotland and Leinster, Munster and Ulster carry the Irish flag. They will be joined by the Italian champions, who will be known on May 10th after the Italian championship final. The winners of a play off between Dynamo (Bucharest) and the runners up in the Italian Championship will get the 20th place. The teams from France to join Toulouse will be known when the French Championship is completed on June 1st.
The make up of the 24 team European Conference, which will be divided into four pools of six, will be the seven clubs from Wales and France who finished below their European Cup entrants in their respective national championships Bristol, Gloucester, London Irish, Northampton, Orrell and Sale from England Glasgow from Scotland Connacht the loser of the play off between Dynamo and the runners up in the Italian championship plus the club placed third in the Italian Championship.
The pool matches will be played on the weekends of October 12th, 19th, 26th and November 2nd, and midweek, on either October 15th or 16th. The semi finals will take place on November 16th and 17th and the two finals on January 4th and 5th.
Leinster have been drawn in Pool B together with Leicester, South of Scotland, France (3) and Wales (4). Ulster are in pool C with Harlequins, North and Midlands, France (2) and Wales (1). Munster are in Pool D with France (1), Wasps, Wales (2) and Italy (I).
In the Conference, Connacht will be competing in Pool C with Orrell, Northampton, Wales (7), Italy (3) and one of the French qualifying clubs. London Irish will have two French clubs, two from Wales and Gloucester in their pool.
