No Euro tournament without unions – IRB

Editor

The IRB has reiterated its stance that it will not support any competition that has not been approved by the unions of any participants.

The International Rugby Board has reiterated its stance that it will not support any European competition that has not been approved by the unions of any participating clubs.

With no end to the European crisis in sight and the Welsh Regions pushing to join the Premiership clubs in the proposed Rugby Champions Cup in defiance of the Welsh Rugby Union's support of the ERC, the global governing body has made it's position clear.

There is nothing new in the IRB's latest statement, but it is clearly a warning to the Welsh Regions that a breakaway from their national union would be a dead end.

“The International Rugby Board strongly believes that the establishment of a truly representative pan-European Rugby competition that fully complies with IRB Regulations and Bye-Laws is in the best interests of the global Game,” read an IRB statement.

“The IRB acknowledges and supports the commitment of the Six Nations Member Unions in their ongoing attempts to reach an accord for a genuine European competition that has Europe's top players and fans at heart.

“However, despite progress on key terms for the future of European competition, the apparent lack of a common solution across the Six Nations Unions and their respective clubs, regions and provinces is of concern to the IRB.”

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “In order to reach an outcome that is in the best interests of Rugby globally, the IRB will work actively with its Unions towards the goal of achieving a unified and acceptable outcome for all stakeholders involved.”

“In the interests of the global Game, the IRB reaffirms that it will not support any cross border competitions that are not approved by the Unions of any participating clubs, Rugby bodies and host countries in full accordance with IRB Regulations and Bye-Laws.”