MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 17:41:14| >> :600:147814574:147814574:

European rugby bosses open talks over Club World Cup competition

The new tournament would complement the Heineken Champions Cup.

European rugby bosses have held talks over introducing a Club World Cup.

But the European Professional Club Rugby body stressed its plans would complement existing tournaments with its proposal that a world competition is held every four years.

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte earlier mooted an idea for an annual 20-team world club tournament which would replace the Heineken Champions Cup.

Laporte is in the running to become World Rugby vice-president this summer.

Bernard Laporte's comments promoted a response
Bernard Laporte's comments promoted a response (PA)

The comments prompted the body representing European clubs to divulge their own talks on the issue.

A statement read: "EPCR has noted today's media reports regarding a proposal for an annual Club World Cup.

"Discussions have already taken place on an official level between EPCR and its shareholders regarding a global club tournament which could complement the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup and which could take place once every four years. Work on possible formats is ongoing with a collaborative approach and issues of player welfare to the fore.

"EPCR does not believe it appropriate to highlight such discussions while the public health crisis due to Covid-19 continues, and currently the organisation's focus is on attempting to reschedule the knockout stages of the 2019-20 tournaments subject to government and local authority directives."

ID:395654: cacheID:395654:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3267:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Harlequins' Semi Kunatani scores their second try against Leicester Tigers on May 3, 2019
Read Next:
Coronavirus latest: Harlequins refuse to comment on Semi Kunatani arrest
>
Read more about Rugby Union
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!