Restyled PRO 14 would ‘gain £10m TV deal’
EUROPEAN rugby supremo Simon Halliday claims his organisation have yet to be consulted over plans to induct two South African teams into the PRO 12.
Super Rugby rejects Cheetahs and Kings are expected to be given the green light to compete in a revamped 14-team Celtic/Italian tournament from September.
However, their presence would complicate issues around qualification for Europe’s major crossborder cup competitions from 2018 onwards.
Halliday, chairman of European umbrella organisation EPCR, told The
Rugby Paper: “The draw for our tournaments has already been made for 2017/18 so there is no chance of South African teams competing this year, but beyond that we don't know what will happen.
“We would welcome those conversations but at this time we have had no approach from the Pro 12 regarding any changes to their competition or the inclusion of teams from South Africa.”
The fact Pro 12 officials have yet to discuss proposed changes with EPCR is surprising given the logistical implications of introducing South African sides into the Champions and Challenge cups.
While interest from television broadcasters would heighten, Premiership, Top 14 and existing Pro 12 clubs are bound to be concerned by the prospect of 12,000 mile round-trips to Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth ahead of vital league matches.
Halliday added: “We already have Russian teams involved in the Challenge Cup which has created major logistical exercises for teams like Newcastle and Connacht, but going to South Africa is an entirely different matter. I would expect the Pro 12 to come to us with their proposals prior to making any changes to their qualification process for our competitions."
PRO12 directors claim that the addition of the Free State Cheetahs and the Port Elizabeth-based Southern Kings will be worth more than £10m in live rights from South African television, writes Peter Jackson.
Organisers believe that the redesigning of the tournament under the enterprising leadership of chief executive Martin Anayi will give them enough financial muscle to cut the alarming gap in revenue separating the PRO12 from the Top 14 and Aviva Premiership.
They say that new television and other sponsorship deals with effect from next year will be ‘a game-changer’ big enough to banish the PRO12’s reputation as the poor relation of Europe’s three major Leagues.
The unique inter-hemisphere move by the Cheetahs and Southern Kings is due to be finalised on Tuesday now that their removal from Super Rugby has taken effect.
Their last match in that competition, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday night, ended with the Cheetahs coming from behind to win 21-20.
Their next one will be in the PRO14 under a new format. Clubs will be split into two conferences based on their standing last May at the end of the regular 22-match season.
Each section will be limited to no more than two teams from the same country. Teams in the same conference will play each other home and away with additional one-off matches against the seven in the other conference, bringing a total of 21. Play-offs will then follow to determine the winner.
Based on last season’s finish the 14 will be split in two as follows:
Conference A: Munster, Scarlets, Ulster, Blues, Edinburgh, Zebre, Cheetahs or Southern Kings.
Conference B: Leinster, Ospreys, Glasgow Warriors, Connacht, Treviso, Dragons, Cheetahs or Southern Kings.