The News Review:
- English to pullout from European competition if French boycott Heineke…
- English clubs join French counterparts in Heineken Cup boycott
- French clubs to clarify Heineken Cup position
- Once again Leicester burst Llanelli’s hopes in a Heineken Cup…
- French clubs to quit Heineken Cup
English to pullout from European competition if French boycott Heineke…
International Herald Tribune – Apr 2, 2007
Premier Rugby the organization for the 12 clubs involved in English rugby's domestic league said it remained committed to a European competition involving all current participants. “However a European Cup without the leading French clubs is not a genuine European competition and Premier Rugby's clubs have today agreed unanimously not to participate in any such competition without the French next season” Premier Rugby said in a statement. The Heineken Cup which began in 1995 is Europe's premier club rugby tournament. It features 24 teams from six countries — France England Scotland Wales Italy and Ireland. The spat has stemmed from the growing demands of international rugby and from English clubs seeking a greater voice in how the competition is run.
English clubs join French counterparts in Heineken Cup boycott
International Herald Tribune – Apr 5, 2007
The growing international schedule and its additional demands was another concern. The English clubs which had voted Monday to withdraw if the French teams pulled out announced later Thursday that they would also boycott to put the fate of next year's competition in serious jeopardy. The Heineken Cup which began in 1995 is Europe's premier club rugby tournament. It features 24 teams from six countries — France England Scotland Wales Italy and Ireland. The organizers of the two competitions — European Rugby Cup Ltd. — which is based in Ireland distributes tournament revenue to the six national unions which divides the money between teams… ” The Welsh Rugby Union said it will work “for as long as it takes” to resolve the standoff. “We are deeply concerned not only for the game of rugby but also for the players whose livelihoods are now at risk” WRU chief executive Roger Lewis said. English and French clubs have won a combined nine of the 11 Heineken Cup finals — Toulouse (three times) Leicester (twice) Wasps Northampton Bath and Brive. Irish clubs Ulster (1999) and Munster (2006) are the only other clubs to have won the title.
French clubs to clarify Heineken Cup position
Times Online – Mar 22, 2007
Malcolm O’Kelly the Ireland lock who missed the Six Nations has been included in the Leinster squad for this weekend’s Magners League game with Connacht and will hope to play against London Wasps in the Heineken Cup on Saturday week. The Irish province will be without Brian O’Driscoll the injured Ireland captain for at least a month. Bill Beaumont the former England captain who is a candidate to become chairman of the IRB after Syd Millar stands down in October has given his name to a new trophy for the winner of the county championship. Lancashire his county are the holders.
Once again Leicester burst Llanelli’s hopes in a Heineken Cup…
International Herald Tribune – Apr 22, 2007
English soccer clubs have duplicated the achievement of their rugby brethren. Three have reached the Champions League semifinals and only AC Milan like Llanelli a team in red and black stands in their way. This year's Heineken Cup will end at Twickenham on May 20. For the English clubs next year's competition already looks certain to begin and end in the courts. That is a far less inviting prospect. No balloons will be allowed.
French clubs to quit Heineken Cup
BBC News – Jan 17, 2007
France’s leading 14 teams say the row in England between the Rugby Football Union and Premiership clubs has led to uncertainty over the event’s future. “French clubs will not be participating in next season’s tournament” said a Ligue Nationale de Rugby statement. European Rugby Cup which runs the competition says talks over the future of the Heineken Cup are “ongoing”. There have been doubts over the competition’s future for months because of threats of a French boycott while in England the Premiership clubs are demanding a greater say in running the event.