Continental Club Rugby League

[Rebus Profile]

I was thinking about the fact there is Russian interest on Rugby Europe's presidency (and promising money).

I don't think there is any chance of promotion/relegation system in PRO14.

Thats is an interesting point of view , particularly when you look at the proposed investment into the Russian game and desire to host a World Cup. Excellent way to raise the profile of the Russian game

[Armchair Fan Profile]

It's starting. We're in that moment of the year. Yes, Spanish clubs have received communication from FER that we are invited to a new and exciting European competition...

That's according to Chema Valentín-Gamazo, VRAC and clubs association president. He says they are analyzing it and wondering whether a club should go or if it's maybe the right time for a franchise:
https://www.ondacero.es/emisoras/andalu ... eb7e4.html

[thatrugbyguy Profile]

So, which other countries have been notified?

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

It's starting. We're in that moment of the year. Yes, Spanish clubs have received communication from FER that we are invited to a new and exciting European competition...

That's according to Chema Valentín-Gamazo, VRAC and clubs association president. He says they are analyzing it and wondering whether a club should go or if it's maybe the right time for a franchise:
https://www.ondacero.es/emisoras/andalu ... eb7e4.html

Personally, I think the franchise model would be better from a perspective of deriving the most benefit for talent and level of competitiveness. Also, preventing one club(s) from being able to use their participation to warehouse talent. I think a country like Spain should look to enter 2 franchises to start. One from Valladolid being the home of the two most competitive clubs and Madrid. The city/region with the most individual players. With plans to slowly introduce more franchises if the competition proves viable and as depth is developed to support.

I also think it should be split into East and West divisions ideally with 6 teams in each. So the two Spanish would be joined by a single Portuguese, Dutch, Belgian and German franchise/club in the West with Russia, Romania and Georgia providing the 6 teams in the East. This would be to address issues like travel etc.

I think the goal for the likes of the Dutch, Belgians, Portuguese and Germans should be to eventually field two franchises a piece with Spain fielding at least 3 likely 4 down the track.

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

So, which other countries have been notified?

From previous reports they are targeting the top 8 European based nations from the REC and RET. So that would be Spain, Georgia, Russia, Romania, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. If they were cheeky enough they could even target the likes of the Swiss based Serviette Genf RC who are working their way through the French system. Personally, I hope they are talking to every nation in both divisions.

[victorsra Profile Website]

A franchise model can have clubs anyway in theory. Just like Benetton Treviso (a club) is in PRO14. It is only a matter of whoever has money to bid.

And it also would be crucial to see Rugby Europe becoming a EPCR partner, with a vote there.

[Grzegorz B. Profile Website]

From the website of Ogniwo Sopot, champion of Poland: Rugby Europe contacted club and offered them a participation im some European cup, starting in 2021. They will provide more information at the press conference today afternoon.

Source: https://ogniwosopot.pl/ogniwo-sopot-w-e ... pucharach/

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

From the website of Ogniwo Sopot, champion of Poland: Rugby Europe contacted club and offered them a participation im some European cup, starting in 2021. They will provide more information at the press conference today afternoon.

Source: https://ogniwosopot.pl/ogniwo-sopot-w-e ... pucharach/

As in Rugby Europe press conference or Poland Rugby press conference?

[Grzegorz B. Profile Website]

As in Rugby Europe press conference or Poland Rugby press conference?

Only Ogniwo press conference. But in the meantime I realized one thing. Today is prima aprilis/April Fools' Day, it's probably just a club's joke. Sorry :)

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

As in Rugby Europe press conference or Poland Rugby press conference?

Only Ogniwo press conference. But in the meantime I realized one thing. Today is prima aprilis/April Fools' Day, it's probably just a club's joke. Sorry

I actually totally forgot about that.

[Vova12 Profile]

Only Ogniwo press conference. But in the meantime I realized one thing. Today is prima aprilis/April Fools' Day, it's probably just a club's joke. Sorry

Its okay, we wrote about arrival of All Blacks in May to Krasnoyarsk ...

[amz Profile]

On 24th March CSM Stiinta Baia Mare published a letter to local authorities concerning a new European Competition, asking for financial support; it's a long text so try it with google translate.

https://www.facebook.com/RugbyBaiaMare/ ... 0114011145

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

On 24th March CSM Stiinta Baia Mare published a letter to local authorities concerning a new European Competition, asking for financial support; it's a long text so try it with google translate.

https://www.facebook.com/RugbyBaiaMare/ ... 0114011145

Well, apparently they have been working on something for a while. So hopefully we actually see something sooner rather than later.

[Armchair Fan Profile]

A couple of months ago Revista Veintidós published all the requirements made by Rugby Europe to accept clubs/franchises into their new competition.

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

A couple of months ago Revista Veintidós published all the requirements made by Rugby Europe to accept clubs/franchises into their new competition.

You wouldn't have a linked by any chance? Would be greatly appreciated.

[Armchair Fan Profile]

It was on print. And it was very boring, it was all about technical requirements like stadium capacity and things like that. I just say it because it's been work in progress for months.

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

It was on print. And it was very boring, it was all about technical requirements like stadium capacity and things like that. I just say it because it's been work in progress for months.

I guess my main question is the overall structure in terms of whether its a Cup competition or a proper league.

[Armchair Fan Profile]

I wouldn't judge it on these terms. It intends to start as an add-on to current domestic league structures, just like Champions and Challenge Cup, probably with the aim of it becoming a proper league if successful.

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

I wouldn't judge it on these terms. It intends to start as an add-on to current domestic league structures, just like Champions and Challenge Cup, probably with the aim of it becoming a proper league if successful.

Hmm...a Cup competition could work if structured correctly. But a proper league would probably be more marketable long term.

[dans Profile]

In the article above about Baia Mare club lobbying the county and national authorities for funding in order to compete in the potential Rugby Europe Club competition, they were saying they need something like a milion and half euros extra for the full competitional year. I don't think all was to cover add-ons to their rooster + travel in Europe. I think a minimum bugetary requirement is one of the conditions for participation. Romanian Superliga clubs budgets are so thin this year, i don't know if the old Buchares Wolves may be the Romanian cub representative instead. I feel for the Baia Mare club, they dominated the internal rugby landscape for a few good years now...
In any case Rugby Europe should already be scouting for sponsorship if they are to make this a success....but we live in hard times, hope they can get it.

[Canalina Profile]

From the website of Ogniwo Sopot, champion of Poland: Rugby Europe contacted club and offered them a participation im some European cup, starting in 2021. They will provide more information at the press conference today afternoon.

Source: https://ogniwosopot.pl/ogniwo-sopot-w-e ... pucharach/

Was it then an april 1st joke?

[Grzegorz B. Profile Website]

Was it then an april 1st joke?

Yes, it was. They didn't oficially deny it, but everything was absolutely clear few hours later - they released the video with the captain of the team (Piotr Zeszutek, captain of Polish team too) and he said he hopes the club officials would let him at least wash players' shirts in the face of expected team reinforcements ;)