Calling for change: Clermont boss Jean-Marc Lhermet
Clermont general manager Jean-Marc Lhermet has added his voice to the growing number of calls for a change to the Heineken Cup qualification rules.
At a news conference for the launch of the 2012-2013 European Cup competitions in France on Monday, French clubs re-affirmed that they want a shorter schedule and for the Heineken Cup to be cut to from 24 to 20 clubs.
English and French teams need to finish in the top six of their domestic leagues to qualify for the Heineken Cup and authorities from both countries have been calling for the quota from the PRO12 to be reduced to six teams instead of ten.
"Is it really appropriate always to have two Italian clubs in the group stage? Is it normal that some teams automatically qualify while others have to fight for their place? I am not sure," said Lhermet.
Former France manager and current Toulon boss Bernard Laporte called for the European Cups to be played in two months to allow clubs to focus on their domestic fixtures afterwards.
"A single playing window would be more logical to me," he said.
"Then we could move on to our domestic championships."
At the same conference, European Rugby Cup (ERC) chairman Jean-Pierre Lux lashed out the English Premiership, calling the £152 million deal signed with BT to broadcast European matches involving leading English clubs from 2014 "illegal."
The deal contradicts the ERC's deal with the current rights holder BSkyB but BT have suggested they could create a new European competition.
"This is shocking because it is illegal," said Lux told.
"The English (delegates at the ERC) did not say anything about how the money from the deal will be shared between the domestic and European competitions and how it will be shared with the other countries' (clubs).
"They opened talks directly with some South African and French clubs. This has hampered the negotiations. It is hard to talk with them. We may have to move on without the English, though I do not want it."
Comments
Carriag says...
@ melkdave: It is illegal, as only i ERC have the rights to any european competition in any form. This was given by the IRB and each of the Unions consent. If the english clubs do setup a new competition it wont be sanctioned and as such will not be able to use the words "European" and "Rugby Union" without consent and will leave them open to legal proceedings.
Posted 13:54 25th September 2012
Carriag says...
They still dont get that irish and welsh side do have to qualify in the rabo as only the best 3 from each country get to play in the hcup. And it used to be the best 2/3 for scotland before the borders collapsed. By all means say qualifying is unfair, but they cant say there is no qualifying in the rabo.
Posted 12:55 25th September 2012
ollieosprey says...
Hieneken cup is going to fiery this year....
Posted 12:13 25th September 2012
APV1 says...
""Is it really appropriate always to have two Italian clubs in the group stage? Is it normal that some teams automatically qualify while others have to fight for their place? I am not sure," said Lhermet."
And that just about sums it up.
Posted 11:57 25th September 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Well an English South African competition will be a useful drug free remedy for insomiac's with access to BT tv.
Posted 11:29 25th September 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
@jontheref - not sure I want to see it but there seems to be more SA franchises than S15 places and with the Union apparently unable to organise themselves - stranger things have happened.
In all honesty, I suspect that the French and English are after the same result and will get it with or without the HC.
Posted 10:59 25th September 2012
melkdave says...
The BT deal isnt illegal,as it starts after the 2014 HEC ,and no english clubs have signed on for it to continue past 2014,so J.P.Lux is talking bollocks..The fact the ERC sold rights to matches they didnt have ,is in fact illegal,its known as fraud ,so if i was him id shut up..The PRL however does have the right to sell matches ,not already under contract, The PRL is the actual clubs and owners.the RFU is only needed tp approve ,as they run the league.Of course they can disapprove it ,but then they run the risk of the clubs setting up their own league,much as what hapened in Football,when the FA became irrevalent to the domestic game ,and we dont want that ..Also has the above statements show,the french clubs havent ruled anything out atm,they just want to see if it can be sorted within the present structure,rather than set op a new one with the english clubs. A concentrated window for the HEC also imo makes sense,as it allows clubs to cncentrate on one objective at a time .It works great in the SH with S15 ,ITM/Currie cup seperated.Of course the celtic unions wont like it ,as means their advantage of resting players ect will vanish..In the longterm though it could be a god send for the Pro12 ,allowing it to become a revalent,meaningful competion /league if desired.in the future,like the T14 and AP .
The idea of SA clubs playing in a new competion,if the talks fail,and the celtic clubs dont join the new competion,is intriging to say the least,Wheather its possible is a different question,just where would it fit in the SH season ect,during the aurtum international window is the only time available ,and that raises a whole lot of problems all by itself.
Posted 10:58 25th September 2012
Waz4before says...
@ johnheref - for a share of £152 m I suspect the Boks will find some gaps in their schedule ;-)
Posted 10:56 25th September 2012
porridge_time says...
Greed driven English Premier League Clubs + Politically Volatile South African Provinces... recipe for disaster if ever there was one.
Just like the English every now and again the SA sides threaten to pull out of SANZAR if they don't get their own way... suppose you could say they ultimately deserve each other.
Posted 10:30 25th September 2012
jontheref says...
A shorter playing block for the HC is what sensible pundits have been asking for for at least 10 years.
The stumbling block to this has been the sponsor, who wants season long exposure.
English clubs playing in a meaningful league with SA teams?
A dream.
Travel.
When are the gaps in the SA teams schedules?
Can't see it happening.
Posted 10:14 25th September 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
South African clubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, you heard it here first, Sarries link already there, Quins have strong ties with the Sharks and Bath have made reference to "stronger ties" with South African franchises in their transfer dealings.
Posted 08:54 25th September 2012