Heineken Cup fever returns to Glasgow
The launches of the 2013/14 Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup season continue in style with the latest event during the build-up to next week’s European club rugby kick-off taking place today (Wednesday, 2 October) in Glasgow.
The Head Coaches and captains of Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors were among the attendance at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome to support ERC’s series of five tournaments launches which concludes in Milan next Monday.
Photographs attached from today’s Scottish launch of the Heineken Cup in Glasgow featuring Glasgow Warriors captain, Al Kellock, and Edinburgh Rugby captain, Greig Laidlaw.
Addressing the issue of the current negotiations towards the formulation of a new Accord for the 2014/15 season and beyond, Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, stressed the need for all parties to come up with a solution.
“The current situation is not good for European rugby. The Heineken Cup is a tremendous tournament for players and fans alike. It’s a competition that is growing consistently. We need to make it better and if we have to make certain concessions to other people to make that happen, then that’s what we will do. The idea that we’ve been kicking this issue into the long grass is wrong and we’re working to get some clarity as soon as possible,” Dodson said.
“We will not go into a tournament which is not sanctioned by the IRB. What’s clear from France, and what’s clear from the IRB, is that they’re pushing people back to ERC to negotiate,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Derek McGrath, ERC Chief Executive, said: “Everyone involved in our discussions is ready to make changes, but we need engagement to achieve proper negotiation. I am very confident that we can find an outcome while recognising the valid interests on all sides of the debate.
“Any proposed new competition is nothing more than leveraging the value that has been built over 18 years by all of the constituents of European rugby. We will not prosper if the interests of the few are served over the interests of the many.”
Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach, Alan Solomons, said: “The Heineken Cup is a fantastic competition, and the diversity is what makes it so brilliant.”
Glasgow Warriors captain, Al Kellock, said: “The Heineken Cup produces the sort of big games in which you want to be involved. I first played in it back in the 2002/03 season and it was exciting then, and it’s even more so now.”
