Move to amend Paris Accord

The Heineken European Cup has generated a huge amount of interest and provided some great matches

The Heineken European Cup has generated a huge amount of interest and provided some great matches. And while we all look forward to seeing Munster play in the quarter-final in April, a gap of three months between the pool and knock out stages is far too long.

One must concede that there were difficulties in relation to the structure this season, because of the World Cup. That will not be a factor next season. Ideally what should happen is that the Heineken Cup should be completed by the end of January as it was last season.

The quicker the Six Nations get together and draw up a proper structure the better. With England now back on the European Cup scene this would be beneficial especially as the six countries are now tied together by the European Cup as well as the Six Nations Championship. But every country must take into account the difficulties and needs of the others. Unfortunately England's track record in this respect scarcely elevates confidence that they would consider anything other than what is suitable for them.

For instance we recently had the Rob Andrew report on the structure of the game in England. Nothing at all wrong with such an examination. But what was remarkable was that he came out with a proposal that the Six Nations Championship be run off at the end of the season going into May.

READ MORE

The other countries involved resented the fact that there was absolutely no consultation with them as to how they felt about rescheduling the championship or how such a move would suit them. But that, I am afraid, has been all too typical of the attitude that has obtained for too long and in many respects to the detriment of the game in these islands. The English attitude to the European Cup is another classic example. But this season's tournament has proved to be something of a rude awakening for them.

On the matter of moving the championship, there is no case for doing so for many reasons. The argument is not about tradition. The championship has already been moved back to a February start. We now have matches played on a Sunday and, in that respect, Ireland will play in the championship on a Sunday for the first time this season as the match against France is on Sunday, March 19th.

There is, and always has been, a strong social element to the championship and the time of year it takes place, but, leaving that aside, moving the championship to what would in effect be the summer, would have adverse effects in many respects such as overseas tours which we are constantly told are so important in lifting standards.

There is also the fact that the championship would be clashing with major fixtures in other sports. A restructured season should be a matter of consent not dictation by one to the other five.

But reverting to the European Cup, as things stand and despite the success of the competition this season, the number of teams participating next season is due to be reduced from 24 to 20 to comply with the Paris Accord agreed last March.

Such a move is scarcely calculated to help the game in Europe to meet the stated objectives of European Rugby Cup (ERC) "to develop the ERC to its full sporting and commercial potential."

The background against which the Paris Accord came about must be taken into consideration when seeking any logical reason for reducing the number of teams. England came back on board the tournament last March. Of course it was and is beneficial to have the English clubs back in the competition, and part of that was an agreement to have 24 teams this season and then a structure for an eight-year period that would see the reduction in the number of teams to 20. There was recognition of the importance of the competition to European rugby and the need for a high standard of play and competition. But will reducing the number of participants be in the best interests of attaining such objectives and would 20 instead of 24 teams increase standards?

UNDER the new order England had a guarantee of four and room for more entrants depending on the number they could get into the semi-final.

With Wasps meeting Northampton at the quarter-final stage it means that England is guaranteed five teams next season. Ireland has a guarantee of two, a reduction from three, but if Munster win in the quarter-final Ireland will have three sides in again as a Munster quarterfinal win will bring Leinster into the fold. But, of course, one must also await developments in relation to Leinster's appeal to ERC on the grounds that their group winners Stade Francais fielded an ineligible player in the match in Dublin. That match was won by Leinster.

There is no doubt that it has come as a great disappointment and surprise in England that only two of their clubs managed to make it to the last eight. Thus consequently a reduction in English representation. There is now a very concerted move to amend the Paris Accord and to keep the competition at 24 teams. The ERC Rugby Sub-Committee was due to meet yesterday and there will be a meeting of the directors of ERC in Dublin on January 27th.

The success of the cup so far this season has strengthened the belief in the game that it would be inadvisable to reduce the entry to 20 and accordingly the Paris Accord should be revised. Now it is over to ERC, but several of the ERC directors have gone on record this week supporting the view that the number of participants should not be reduced. They may consider, too, having four groups of six instead of six groups of four. That would give each team 10 pool matches and dispense with the current rather complicated process of knock-out qualification.

Finally all the indications are that the Leinster coach, Mike Ruddock, will have his contract renewed. Leinster's tremendous improvement as the European Cup progressed has been very heartening. Ruddock and team manager, Ken Ging, most certainly deserve to be allowed to continue the good work.

Backs coach Matt Williams has brought about considerable improvement to the team. He is due to return to Australia later this month but I gather there is a strong desire to see Williams continue the work he has done so well for Leinster.