Let's copy football, say Wasps

14 April 2012

Wasps are to propose the creation of a Champions League-style European rugby tournament in a bid to save the Heineken Cup.

Their plan for an expanded competition embracing all 46 clubs from the English, French, Italian and Celtic Leagues is being put forward as part of last-ditch attempts to avert the Anglo-French boycott of next season's tournament.

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'My view is that everyone should go in groups of four with the top half going into a Champions League,' said the Wasps chief executive

Wasps chief executive David Davies said: "We feel strongly that the competition is worth saving and that someone has to put some emotional equity into it. We are going to talk to the French and see what can be done.

"Will it be the Heineken as we know it or will it be something new? Whatever the structure, it has to suit the six competing countries. We are trying to salvage the competition and preserve its essence.

"Instead of reasonable debate we now have this great void. The only one of the nine partners in the European Cup out of step is the RFU. We have to do something positive to find a resolution because it's certainly not coming from the union.

"I have no doubt something will come out of these discussions which will lead to a European competition next season. We think the structure needs reviewing, regardless of the other issues.

"It is unfair that French and English clubs go through a full season-long programme and only half qualify whereas the Magners League go through a languid process and nearly everyone qualifies.

"My view is that everyone should go in groups of four with the top half going into a Champions League and the rest into the equivalent of the UEFA Cup.

"Football recognised the commercial value of club competitions a long time ago. Unfortunately in rugby, we have one governing body holding us back."

The top 14 French clubs meeting in Paris today will be asked to reaffirm their unanimous decision to proceed with the boycott, which the English clubs have said they will join.

Now that push has come to shove, a minority of French clubs are not so sure and their Rugby Federation president, Bernard Lapasset, will make a final appeal today for them to pull back from the brink.

Boyle: 'If the boycott goes ahead, Serge Blanco will not be remembered as one of the great full backs of all-time. He will be remembered as the person who destroyed professional rugby in the northern hemisphere'

The home unions cling to the hope, however faint, that Lapasset will succeed in persuading League president Serge Blanco to abort the boycott.

Irish Union president Peter Boyle said: "I'm not so sure Serge's threat will come off. Some of the French clubs are maybe not as gung-ho as has been suggested.

"If the boycott goes ahead, Serge Blanco will not be remembered as one of the great full backs of all-time. He will be remembered as the person who destroyed professional rugby in the northern hemisphere.

"The consequences don't even bear contemplating, and I only hope common sense prevails. If not, and the boycott happens, I think rugby union could end up like rugby league in the 1960s. It will be played in just two countries.

"The real damage done by a boycott is to your credibility with sponsors and television. It is not for us to interfere in how other countries do their business but I find it hard to understand how Serge Blanco and the French can adopt this position.

"I do not believe the clubs in France or England have been hampered in any way in European competition. Everything they have asked for, in terms of promoting the competition, has been done.

"I cannot believe that someone would be as selfish and naive to do what has been threatened.

"The southern hemisphere will be hopping mad if this falls asunder. Ultimately, it will damage the whole international product."

Boyle believes there will be a European Cup of sorts next season. "I believe English clubs will take part," he said.

"The Premiership clubs are saying they won't play but, irrespective of what happens, I believe England will enter teams. Whether they are Coventry or Pertemps Bees or whoever, so be it. We will all have to take pain but we've taken pain in the past when the English clubs didn't participate eight years ago.

"With the World Cup where it is, we all have to take pain next season but we rally round and help each other.

"Whatever people may think about the unions, they do consider the greater good."

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