Tag Archives: EPCR

The European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] association has confirmed that they are committed to finishing this season’s European club competitions despite the ongoing global pandemic.  Like most sports worldwide, the club rugby season was suspended following the outbreak of Covid-19 that has swept its way across the globe. With all competitions brought to a halt, the future of this season’s …

EPCR have released a statement to address the media reports which emerged on Monday which outlined details of a proposed ‘Club World Cup’.  The competition, which is being proposed by the president of the French Rugby Union, Bernard Laporte, would see a 20-team club competition created which would involve teams from both the northern and southern hemisphere. However, reports on …

The president of the French Rugby Union, Bernard Laporte, is proposing a radical new club rugby competition which could see the much loved but often maligned Champions Cup become defunct.  Laporte is hoping to become vice-chairman of World Rugby and he will seek election next month as Bill Beaumont aims to continue as chairman of the game’s world governing body. …

European Professional Club Rugby have announced the suspension of this season’s Heineken Cup and Champions Cup in addition to postponing the semi-finals and finals of the respective competitions. Both of the tournaments’ quarter-finals had been postponed in light of the recent coronavirus outbreak which has decimated the sporting calendar across the globe. After a conference call on Monday the EPCR …

The EPCR have confirmed that this season’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals have been postponed.  The news comes as no surprise and was expected following the ongoing spread of COVID-19 which continues to spread across the globe. The organisation confirmed that the decision was made following a conference call today and that the eight games will be postponed with the entire …

Racing 92 have issued a scathing statement following EPCR’s decision to fine Saracens for fielding an ineligible player during the club’s 27-24 win over the French club in January. The EPCR decided to bring misconduct charges against Saracens after they were informed earlier this week that their player, Titi Lamositele, who was named in the matchday squad for the fixture …

The nominees for the 2020 EPCR European Player of the Year have been announced with three Leinster players included.  In total, seven clubs are represented among the 15 nominees who were picked by a panel of judges which include Brian O’Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, Bryan Habana and Dimitri Yachvili. Leinster, Racing 92 and the Exeter Chiefs all have three nominees included …

EPCR have confirmed that a disciplinary hearing will take place in order to investigate the incident surrounding Munster doctor Jamie Kearns and Saracens and England international Jamie George.  In the second half of Saracens’ 15-6 win over Munster in Round 4 of the Heineken Champions Cup, it is alleged that Kearns directed an abusive comment, or comments, towards George. This …

EPCR have confirmed the referees who will take charge of the fixtures in Rounds 5 & 6 of this season’s Champions Cup.  The ties will be played in January and they will be crucial in determining who reaches the knockout stages of the competition. Leinster are the only team in the competition who have already qualified for the last eight …

EPCR, the governing body of the Champions Cup, have confirmed that they will conduct an investigation into the ugly scenes which occurred during the Pool 4 clash between Saracens and Munster at Allianz Park on Saturday.  During the second half of Saracens’ 15-6 victory over Munster, Jamie George took offence from a comment from a member of Munster’s backroom staff …

EPCR, the governing body of European club rugby, have released a brief statement stating their disappointment with Saracens not attending the official launch of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup today in Cardiff.  Today’s event in Cardiff sees all participating teams in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup represented by respective coaches and players where among other things, they …

Late last week, Bath owner Bruce Craig outlined his intention to write to the EPCR to request a replay of the Heineken Champions Cup clash between his club and Toulouse.  That game, which was famous for Freddie Burns’ failure to ground the ball for a certain match-winning try, was won by Toulouse on a scoreline of 20-22. However, Craig was …

Mourad Boudjellal has been fined by an independent Disciplinary Committee for comments which he made back in January and February of this year.  It was alleged that Boudjellal made comments that (among other things) allegedly condoned homophobic conduct, discriminated against and insulted various groups, and brought the game of rugby into disrepute by attacking, disparaging and criticising EPCR. The committee upheld these …

Heineken have been reinstated as the title sponsor for the ​European Rugby Champions Cup from the beginning of next season.

Tadhg Beirne received the award for Champions Cup try of the season after an excellent length of pitch effort led to Scarlets scoring one of the best team tries we have seen in some time. The try took place in Scarlets’ fixture with Bath at the Rec and it all began when Rhys Patchell received the ball on his own …

The ringfencing of the Premiership is very much on the cards and it seems to be a case of when rather than if the changes will be made. Ringfencing the Premiership, which would mean no promotion/relegation for a number of seasons, is not without its problems. First of all, there are 13 clubs who are Premiership shareholders, the current 12 …

There is good news being reported by The Telegraph this morning with the report that Champions Cup fixtures will be shown free-to-air next season. BT Sport secured the rights to show the competition from next season until 2022 but there is flexibility from tournament organisers to allow free-to-air broadcasters to show games as part of that deal. Sky Sports who currently …