Rugby

EPCR committed to organising rugby Club World Cup

Outgoing chairman Simon Halliday confirms plans for calendar to unify hemispheres

Outgoing EPCR chairman Simon Halliday confirmed plans for a Club World Cup, though no date or structure for the competition has been formally announced. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Nathan Johns
Wed Oct 6 2021 - 12:22

Outgoing EPCR chairman Simon Halliday has confirmed that plans are in the works for the organisation of a rugby Club World Cup.

After serving two terms in the role, Halliday vacated his position on Wednesday but not before hinting strongly at a competition that will take place every four years.

No concrete details were given about the structure or start date of the potential tournament, but Halliday did suggest that EPCR remains focused on reducing the number of pool matches and increasing the amount of knockout ones.

It was also stated that this new global competition would replace the latter stages of the Heineken Champions Cup itself.

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A new global calendar that unites the two hemispheres has long been a topic of discussion in rugby circles. It appears that clarity on what this might look like remains a priority for EPCR, though nothing definitive has yet been announced.

“EPCR has signed a new eight-year agreement which I believe is a triumph of negotiation and shared objectives between the leagues and unions of Europe” says Halliday.

“ This will guarantee the long-term future of both the Heineken Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup. At the same time, this will create clarity for the international and club calendar.”

“From this new agreement, we are now working on the participation of the South African provinces and building towards a Club World Cup every four years which would replace the latter stages of the Heineken Champions Cup.

“Together with our improved formats, reduced pool matches and more knockout rugby, EPCR is in a great position to grow.”

Anthony Lepage, who has been Administration and Finance Director since 2014, has been appointed Chief Executive of EPCR on an interim basis.

A recruitment process is underway to appoint a new chairman and a new chief executive.

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