Rugby Europe rules out third competition

An aim to run three European rugby union club competitions will not be filled this season.

Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson lifting the trophy

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) will not be organising a third tier European competition. (AAP)

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) will not be organising a third tier European competition alongside the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup this season.

When European Rugby Cup was wound up at the end of last season and replaced by EPCR, the aim was to run three European club competitions.

However, Rugby Europe, the overall administrative body for rugby in Europe, said that third competition will not happen this season.

"Rugby Europe and several member federations were mobilised around the EPCR to create a competition that would genuinely expand European rugby," a Rugby Europe statement on Friday said.

"That won't happen for the 2014/2015 season despite the enthusiasm of Rugby Europe's members."

The competition - initially proposed as involving eight teams from Italy, Romania, Georgia, Spain, Russia, Portugal and possibly Germany - was due to provide two qualifiers for the Challenge Cup from next season onwards.

For this season's Challenge Cup, Bucharest will play Calvisano and Tbilisi will take on Rovigo in September home and away legs to decide the two qualifiers.


Share
1 min read

Published

Updated


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Rugby Europe rules out third competition | SBS News