European Champions' Cup 2022/23

[francoisfou]

Rumours are mounting once again that South African sides who are currently competing in the United Rugby Championship could well "qualify" for next season's European Champions' Cup, maybe at the expense of Glasgow and Edinburgh!
Sharks,Stormers and Bulls (are quarter finalists and currently 3rd, 4th and 6th respectively) are the sides pushing for inclusion in what is essentially our premier club competition in the North.
I cannot see what the benefit would be to NH clubs if Saffer teams were to be included - particularly as it may be at the expense of our Scottish friends.
Also, what would the new competition be called as it woulkd no longer be "European"?

Here's a clip from an article in South Africa's Sport 24, although much of the article appears to be behind a paywall.
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/unit ... g-20220504

[Mikey Brown]

It’s PC gone mad.

[fivepointer]

Inevitable, really. Once you invited SA sides into the URC it was odds on they would want to get involved in the European cup competitions. SA want to move closer to Europe and this is a way of gaining stronger footholds.
Hopefully the comps will be open to European teams only but if there's money on the table....

[Puja]

I'll be honest, I had thought this had already been agreed and was ready to go for next season, so my main surprise is hearing that it's still up in the air.

I'm with 5p - it does make sense for them to be in if they're in the URC. We already let Sale in, so what's another three South African sides? I'm okay with their entry - it'll be a net boost to the competitiveness and allow our young English players the experience of playing SH sides and away in South Africa. And if the Eurovision song contest can keep its name while allowing Israel and Australia in, then I don't see a massive issue with the ERC keeping their name.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Ha! Maybe Sale should apply to play Super Rugby next season !

[Mr Mwenda]

No away trips to South Africa please, there's a climate crisis. Tell the Saffas to jog on.

[francoisfou]

This’ll surely open the door for the Boks to play in the 6N.

[FKAS]

I'll be honest, I had thought this had already been agreed and was ready to go for next season, so my main surprise is hearing that it's still up in the air.

I'm with 5p - it does make sense for them to be in if they're in the URC. We already let Sale in, so what's another three South African sides? I'm okay with their entry - it'll be a net boost to the competitiveness and allow our young English players the experience of playing SH sides and away in South Africa. And if the Eurovision song contest can keep its name while allowing Israel and Australia in, then I don't see a massive issue with the ERC keeping their name.

Puja

As a Tigers fan I think we need to be careful about throwing stones whilst in a glass house. Particularly as Sale are offloading some of their South Africans whilst Tigers aren't.

Bit harsh to knock the Scottish sides out they actually put up a fight in Europe. Be better to ditch the Welsh and make the whole thing more competitive.

[Mellsblue]

Greenwich Mean Time-ish Champions Cup? I’m all for it.

[Mellsblue]

No away trips to South Africa please, there's a climate crisis.

Given the geographical spread of Super Rugby……

[Mr Mwenda]

No away trips to South Africa please, there's a climate crisis.

Given the geographical spread of Super Rugby……

Cut much of that too. Rugby has got way too casual about just adding more and longer distances to things.

[Mellsblue]

No away trips to South Africa please, there's a climate crisis.

Given the geographical spread of Super Rugby……

Cut much of that too. Rugby has got way too casual about just adding more and longer distances to things.

What do you propose?

[Mr Mwenda]

Honestly, I would probably let lot of pro rugby die. It seems to me that there is an endless quest to some how find the right combination of teams and competitions that will grow the game to some unspecified point* and just seems to amount to encouraging more and more casual use of flights in an era of climate change**. E.g. If pro SA rugby union cannot sustain itself without intercontinental travel at every competitive level then it can be let go.

*Which I suspect is unsustainable bar a few countries.
**Out of interest, has any rugby body acknowledged climate change and sport's role in setting examples and the like? I could look this up myself I realise...