EPCR working on Club World Cup for rugby
- 3321
Outgoing EPCR chairperson Simon Halliday has confirmed that the organisers of the Champions Cup are working towards the organisation of a rugby Club World Cup.
"We are now working on the participation of the South African provinces (in Euopean competition) and building towards a Club World Cup every four years which would replace the latter stages of the Heineken Champions Cup," Halliday says.
"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.
"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.
"The players and all rugby fans will be delighted as for them, the European tournaments have become a vital piece of their season's ambitions."
No concrete details were given about the structure or start date of the potential tournament.
Halliday hinted at the Club World Cup in his outgoing statement, after spending six-and-a-half years as chairman of the EPCR.
Anthony Lepage, who has been Administration and Finance Director since 2014, has been appointed Chief Executive of the organisation on an interim basis.
