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Showing posts with label PremRugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PremRugby. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Griffiths Questions Welsh Union
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Saracens CEO Edward Griffiths has praised the Welsh regions for their role in brokering a new European deal but has questioned the role of the Welsh Rugby Union.
The new European competition which will replace the Heineken Cup is expected to be confirmed in the next couple of days. Reports say the French and Italians are the last to sign the new accord but a deal is still set to be announced imminently.
The news will bring to an end two years of discussions over the future of European rugby and while Griffiths praised the Welsh regions for their part in the talks, he seemed less impressed with the WRU.
"I think some of the Welsh Rugby Union's behaviour has been erratic and unpredictable," Griffiths told the BBC. "Maybe they've come round to see a little bit of sense."
The new competition will be a 20-team format with six representatives from the Aviva Premiership, six from the Top 14 and seven from the RaboDirect PRO12. The final place will go to either the seventh-placed side in the French league or the English top flight.
Griffiths claims the new competition is "good news" for European rugby.
"I think everybody should be happy," Griffiths said. "The Welsh regions have been clear and been clear-minded in the whole process and deserve a lot of credit for sticking to their guns. At the end of the day this isn't good news for just the English clubs, or the French clubs, or the Welsh regions, it's good news for European rugby.
"We've got a competition with a fairer format and with a fairer financial distribution, and in fact there's no reason why this format won't actually generate more money for everyone. So it is truly a win, win, win competition and I think once the egos got out of the way it was fairly easy to find a solution.
"At the end of the day it's our responsibility as rugby administrators is to put the best possible competition on the table for the coaches and players to play in and the supporters to watch."
Friday, 14 February 2014
IRFU Fortunes Linked with ERC Deal - Archive
Since BT Vision announced it had won the rights to broadcast English Premiership rugby from this season, it also included coverage of English club matches in Europe from 2014. The announcement came with a sharp rebuke from the European Rugby Cup (ERC) headquarters in Dublin, with a claim it had already allocated exclusive coverage of European matches to satellite broadcasters BSkyB for the next four years.
ERC claimed that Premier Rugby's European deal with BT Vision is "in breach both of International Rugby Board regulations and of a mandate from the ERC Board itself".
"It was unanimously agreed at an ERC Board meeting on 6 June, 2012 that ERC would conclude a new four-year agreement with Sky Sports. Premiership Rugby was party to that decision."
Over recent years there has been little love lost between both parties and it appears that BT Vision have leveraged those differences as they expand their sports offering and expand their commercial clout in the Pay-TV market.
Only a few months ago BT gazumped their major competitor for UK live Premier League soccer games, BSkyB, by paying 70% above the odds for 38 live games – all the 18 first-choice picks.
All of which more than shocked BSkyB at the time, who just managed to protect their key soccer offerings - Super Sundays and Monday evening football. However the knowledge that BT had originally bid for all the rights - and were ready to spend more than £2bn if necessary - represented a very clear statement of intent to BSkyB - and a new reality. A fact that was not lost on Rupert Murdochs' organisation.
Or so we thought, until the Premiership rugby deal was announced this week.
All of which more than shocked BSkyB at the time, who just managed to protect their key soccer offerings - Super Sundays and Monday evening football. However the knowledge that BT had originally bid for all the rights - and were ready to spend more than £2bn if necessary - represented a very clear statement of intent to BSkyB - and a new reality. A fact that was not lost on Rupert Murdochs' organisation.
Or so we thought, until the Premiership rugby deal was announced this week.
Clearly BT are now a serious competitive threat to BSkyB with both now chasing the valuable "Triple play" strategy [consumers taking pay-TV, telephony and broadband from the same supplier] where Sky has so far been cleaning up. Indeed currently one third of Sky's 10 million subscribers take triple play.
Although BT Vision have been making some inroads their fast broadband service too often loses out to Sky’s attractive premium content and with six years gone - and a reported £800m spent since launch - the broadband service has only 700,000 subscribers. Nothing close to their original target of 3 million subscribers by the end of 2010.
This pay-TV failure had started to threaten the longer term prospects of BT's core fixed line broadband/telephony business. Hence this uber-acquisitiveness in 2012 into the once dominated BSkyB markets.
For Premier Rugby's the new agreement with BT, divided into a deal to show Premiership rugby from next season and European club rugby from the start of the 2014-15 campaign, is worth up to £152m.
In contrats ERC argue it has also agreed a deal with BSkyB for exclusive coverage of European club rugby from the start of the 2014-15 season, with Premier Rugby arguing that ERC's right to negotiate broadcast deals on behalf of unions is only valid until 2014.
The added confusion beng that European Rugby Cup organises the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup and its members are part of the six nations rugby unions.
Premiership Rugby, which represents the 12 top-flight clubs in England replied to the ERC by saying:
"We also note ERC's reference to its board meeting on 6 June, 2012. No specific broadcast deal was presented or voted on at this or any subsequent ERC board meeting. In any case, any such deal could not have included matches involving Premiership Rugby clubs.
"ERC's suggestion that Premiership Rugby may be in breach of IRB regulations is wrong."
Off the pitch there has been long-running tension between the ERC and English and French clubs, who separately announced earlier this year that they will pull out of he ERC once the current agreement governing participation runs out at the end of the 2013-14 season.
Both the French and English clubs want changes to the way European rugby union's blue riband club tournament is structured, seeking a new system that would reduce the number of RaboDirect Pro12 teams that automatically qualify for the Heineken Cup. Plus removing the current guarantee that leads to Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy all being ensured representation.
As there is no relegation from the Pro12 the English and French clubs have always argued this gives Irish teams, in particular, an advantage, because they can rest players for league matches keeping them fresh for Europe - without facing any real consequences. The dominance of Munster and Leinster over the past five years in the Heineken Cup only serves to add to that argument of imbalance.
For the rugby fans in England this change will represent an added headache as viewers will need to have both pay-TV services to follow the Heineken Cup properly - it seems.
It comes into a market that is already complicated at 6 Nations level for Irish viewers for instance, as England games at Twickenham are only available on Sky Sports. Yet all other games played outside the RFU HQ are available on terrestrial TV channels for Irish viewers.
It comes into a market that is already complicated at 6 Nations level for Irish viewers for instance, as England games at Twickenham are only available on Sky Sports. Yet all other games played outside the RFU HQ are available on terrestrial TV channels for Irish viewers.
Or the struggle to ensure the Rabo Pro12 matches are covered live by non pay-tv channels.
For the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] this also could be a major problem - as was identified in their July AGM - and that future uncertainty about the Heineken Cup was a major risk to their finances.
The Honorary Treasurer Tom Grace identified that the IRFU and the provinces have benefited enormously from the competition over the last 12 years, doing well from the sale of season tickets, gate receipts and prize money.
“Any proposed change to the structure of the competition will require the collective attention of the union and the provinces. I believe it is a big issue that needs to be handled carefully.” said Grace.
Provincial income improved by €1.8 million last season mainly due to the progress of Leinster and Ulster to the Heineken Cup final, which was won by the former. If the ERC income was to be reduced in the near future then then it would add unwanted financial pressure on the provinces. It could have significant impact on the viability of Connacht for example and also force more provincial players to seek contracts in England. Or indeed France for the top players.
In Ireland, none of the provinces cover costs from year to year with player salaries, staff salaries, travel costs, rental of facilities, and other overruns paid for by IRFU money - all made through the international game.
For players it could mean preferring England where non-international players in the Premiership can earn on average £125,00-£150,000 a year, with an international making double that with match fees and bonuses. In France the best players make up to €750,000 a year at clubs such as Toulouse, with an annual budget of over €30 million.
In contrast Munster’s annual budget is only about €5m.
While several clubs’ and rugby stalwarts have proffered negative comments about the new deal, the Premiership clubs remain united behind the rapidly escalating row with ERC.
In the meantime Saracens chairman Nigel Wray called for the structure of the Heineken Cup to reflect the financial muscle of the French and English clubs.
“The Heineken Cup was set up by the Unions and fair play that they created it,” Wray said. “The English and French clubs contribute by miles the biggest part of the revenue and we don’t get our just reward. That must be put right.
“The structure is clearly wrong in that we have to knock each other out to get into the tournament and all the other guys stroll in. And that’s not right – we have to fight to get in and we provide most of the revenue. The terms have to be changed.”
It is also thought that an Anglo-French alliance would be unified in the negotiations and there is agreement between the two as to an urgent need for a revamp.
“It is inappropriate to give news about TV rights in Europe,” said Patrick Wolff, vice-president of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby and one of two French representatives at the ERC board.
“I was disappointed. It is not appropriate that this is to be put on the agenda. We do not know for sure if ERC or the clubs or another organisation owns these rights.
“Of course I understand that this is the usual pressure exerted before negotiations but I was sorry to see financial issues being discussed before we talk about how the competition needs to be improved. We don’t want to start all this by having lawyers there arguing about TV rights. We must talk first about the sport.”
So far though there is no mention of a signed irrevocable agreement between BT Vision and Premiership rugby, and so the timing has to be seen as a negotiating tactic given the scheduled ERC board meeting in Dublin next Tuesday. It should proved more than interesting given that those who sit on the board are not known to have shirked many tackles in their playing days.
The European Rugby Cup members are: Independent chairman: Jean-Pierre Lux; England: Rob Andrew (Rugby Football Union), Peter Wheeler (Premiership Rugby); France: Michel Palmie (French Rugby Federation), Rene Bouscatel (Ligue Nationale) ;Ireland: Philip Browne (Irish Rugby Football Union), Peter Boyle (IRFU); Italy: Fabrizio Gaetaniello (Italian Rugby Federation), Orazio Arancio (FIR); Scotland: Ian McLauchlan (Scottish Rugby Union), Mark Dodson (SRU); Wales: Roger Lewis (Welsh Rugby Union), Stuart Gallacher (RRW)
Worryingly, if there is to be a loser in this contrived debate, assuming it is all postulating and the Heineken Cup remains in place, it will be Irish rugby and the IRFU's budget.
Back in 2010 the IRFU estimated the proposed free-to-air initiative by Minister Ryan for the Heineken Cup would result in a loss of income of €10-€12 million annually (or 15-18% of annual income). The finances have deteriorated further since that study and so any more depletion on projected income would have an immediate effect on the game - leaving the IRFU severely challenged in these already chastened times.
For ERC Chief Executive, Derek McGrath, it will be a meeting in which he will need the utmost patience as this issue will run through a number of phases before being resolved.
For ERC Chief Executive, Derek McGrath, it will be a meeting in which he will need the utmost patience as this issue will run through a number of phases before being resolved.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
O'Shea Extends Quins Deal
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Conor O'Shea and his backroom staff have agreed new contracts at Aviva Premiership side Harlequins.
The Irishman has committed his future to the club as director of rugby along with head coach John Kingston and skills coach Collin Osborne.
The decision of the trio to extend their deals to the end of the 2015-16 season gives the club a settled rugby management team after first XV coach and academy manager Tony Diprose and backs coach Mark Mapletoft signed new contracts last year.
The current coaching staff have overseen the most successful period in the club's history, delivering four trophies in three seasons - the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2011, the Aviva Premiership title in 2012 and the Aviva A League and LV= Cup in 2013 - to The Stoop.
In a statement on the Quins' website, chief executive David Ellis said: "We are delighted to have retained the services of the coaching team that has delivered the most successful period in the professional history of this great club.
"Their extensive experience of managing players at the top end of the game in this country has been fundamental to Harlequins' recent progress.
"I am confident that will continue given the quality of young English talent we have coming through our player development programme."
O'Shea said: "I am very privileged to be asked to continue as director of rugby at Harlequins and would like to thank the club's owners and the board for this opportunity.
"Every day I go into the club I meet a group of coaches, players and support staff that wants to be the best they can be and wants to bring success to a club that belongs at the top of the game.
"We are ambitious to ensure that what we are building here is a lasting legacy, that we play rugby in a style that our supporters enjoy and is true to the tradition of this club, a club that will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2016."
Thursday, 24 October 2013
European Reach Half Solution
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The English, French, Scottish, Welsh, Irish and Italian governing bodies have agreed to change the structure of European club rugby.
After meetings in Dublin, they agreed on the formation of two tweaked competitions of 20 teams each as well as a change in revenue distribution.
But top English and French clubs, who have proposed a breakaway competition from next season, were not present.
The Anglo-French plan has been backed by the four Welsh regions.
Premiership Rugby (PRL) in England and Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) in France say they will have no involvement in the Heineken Cup or Amlin Challenge Cup from next season.
Instead of competing in European Rugby Cup (ERC) competitions, the PRL and LNR plan to form an alternative Rugby Champions Cup.
PRL and LNR are unhappy at how teams qualify for the Heineken Cup, especially from the RaboDirect Pro12 league, and how proceeds are shared.
Currently, only the top six clubs in England and France are guaranteed a place in the Heineken Cup, whereas at least 10 Pro12 outfits - including both Scottish teams (Edinburgh and Glasgow), both Italian teams (Treviso and Zebre) and a minimum of three sides each from Wales and Ireland - have automatic entry into the competition.
As part of the new proposals, only seven clubs from the Pro12 would qualify for the primary tournament.
In addition, the revenue would be split evenly between the three leagues - the English Premiership, France's Top 14 and the Pro12 - as proposed by English and French clubs in June of last year.
But PRL told the BBC that Thursday's developments offer "no more than half a solution" to the crisis.
Remaining stumbling blocks are the rival television broadcasting deals between Sky and BT and the insistence of English and French outfits that clubs should run European competitions, not the unions.
Representatives from the Rugby Football Union, French Rugby Federation, Scottish Rugby Union, Welsh Rugby Union, Irish Rugby Union and Italian Rugby Federation were all present in Dublin.
They issued a statement which read: "Progress has been made on a number of issues relating to the future of European club rugby competition.
"The primary competition would be made up of 20 clubs, with six each from PRL and the LNR, and seven from the Pro12 tournament.
"The clubs would come through meritocratic qualification from their respective leagues and, in the case of the Pro12, there will be at least one club guaranteed from each country.
"In year one, the 20th place would be allocated through a play-off match between the seventh-placed PRL and LNR clubs.
"The secondary competition would consist of up to 20 clubs made up of the remaining 18 PRL, LNR and Pro12 clubs. Two places could be allocated to clubs qualifying from a third competition.
"There is also consensus that distributable revenues generated through the competitions would be divided one third, one third, one third per league with the stipulation that monies to be received by the Pro12 countries would not be less than the current levels."
The PRL, the LNR and the four Welsh regions have not yet been consulted on the proposals and it is unclear who will run these proposed European club competitions from next year.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Five Positive Premiership Players
Five players at Premiership clubs tested positive for recreational drugs last season.
In its annual anti-doping report, the Rugby Football Union said the cases would be treated confidentially and punished with a "first-strike fine".
The tests came under the RFU's Illicit Drugs Programme, a series of out-of competition tests for illicit drugs.
In 617 tests for performance-enhancing drugs, none were failed by Premiership players.
Testing for illicit drugs - cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy - was introduced in 2009 after four Bath players were suspended for substance use.
The players who returned positive samples will be offered counselling and will remain anonymous unless they transgress again.
Senior players who fail tests are fined £5,000, with a £1,000 fine given to academy players.
"The RFU, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players' Association are focused on protecting the health and welfare of the players and reputation of the game, which is why this was set up in 2010," said an RFU statement.
"We believe our strategy based on education, testing, deterrent and treatment will keep the number of test violations consistently low."
Five players of National League One level or below failed in-competition tests aimed at performance-enhancing substances.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Gatland Warns of Failure
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Warren Gatland has warned that English and French clubs' attempts to set up a breakaway tournament from the Heineken Cup will fail.
The Rugby Champions Cup, due to start next season, is a result of Anglo-French frustrations with Heineken Cup qualification and revenue sharing.
"I don't see an Anglo-French competition being successful or lasting that long," Gatland told BBC Jersey.
"I think all parties want full representation from all the countries."
The new tournament could yet include teams from Scotland, Wales and Ireland, but the Pro12 sides need their unions' approval to take part. The Welsh, Irish and Scottish unions are, in turn, waiting on the International Rugby Board's (IRB) endorsement.
New Zealander Gatland, who was appointed to the Wales post in 2008 after spells with London Wasps and Connacht as well as Ireland, believes a tournament that includes only English and French clubs will damage the international game in the northern hemisphere.
"There needs to be some sort of protection for a Scottish or Italian team potentially," he added. "Without their involvement we could see an impact going into the Six Nations."
The 50-year-old also believes that plans for the Rugby Champions Cup may have overlooked difficulties in securing officials for matches.
The English Rugby Football Union (RFU) are still uncommitted to the new tournament and their French counterparts actively oppose it.
"The referees are controlled by the unions and France have said they would not support a new competition, while the RFU have sort of stood on the fence," Gatland added.
Quentin Smith, the chairman of England's top-level Premiership, andTim Lopez, agent to the likes of Wales and Cardiff full-back Leigh Halfpenny, have warned that the uncertainty over top-level European rugby is affecting players' decisions over contracts at Welsh regions.
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