The EPCR Leadership: Ignoring the Elephant in the Room?
It's astonishing that the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) bosses remain in their positions after a series of questionable decisions. The latest? Selling UK TV rights for less than the initial offer. Yet, they remain content with the Investec Champions Cup's progress, citing positive metrics as proof of success. But are these metrics telling the whole story?
While Premier Sports viewership has increased, it's hardly impressive when some matches attract fewer viewers than the stadium attendance. And a 50% rise in digital fan engagement could simply mean more fans complaining about the format on social media. The EPCR leadership seems to be turning a blind eye to the growing discontent.
The competition's structure is locked until 2030, with EPCR CEO Jacques Raynaud insisting that the format is working. But the reality on the ground tells a different story. Many clubs view the Champions Cup as a nuisance, and the public perception is that the competition is declining.
The previous format had its flaws, but expanding the Champions Cup to 24 teams and diluting its quality was a misstep. With 8 out of 10 Gallagher Prem clubs qualifying automatically, the competition lacks the edge it once had. Thomas Ramos, the France and Toulouse full-back, accurately observed that only a handful of clubs genuinely compete in the Champions Cup.
The EPCR's claim that the competition is 'Test-match rugby in club colours' rings hollow when the average winning margins in the pool stage are at an all-time high. And the travel demands for South African clubs further distort the competition, as evidenced by the Bulls fielding a second-string team in a quarter-final against Northampton Saints in 2024.
The EPCR's response? A proposal to change the competition structure, which has yet to materialize. Meanwhile, clubs like Glasgow Warriors and Bath build heavyweight campaigns, valuing the Champions Cup and aiming for home advantage in the knockout stage. But is this enough to save the competition?
The question remains: is the EPCR leadership truly blind to the issues, or are they choosing to ignore them? Perhaps it's time for a fresh perspective, as suggested by Ramos, to revive the Champions Cup's glory days.
