One of many complications is how a British and Irish league would leave the South African and Italian teams out in the cold. While the Italians could strike a deal to enter the French system, South Africa is a different proposition.
As one of the greatest rugby nations on earth, and back-to-back world champions, the South African franchises have massively improved the on-pitch URC product, and have made the final in each of the past three seasons. But geographically, logistically, and from a sustainability point of view, their involvement in both the URC and the Champions Cup is fraught with complications.
Once the South Africans entered into the URC, it stands to reason they would be involved in the Champions Cup.
But so far it hasn’t worked, with travel and preparation issues undermining the competition, while the financial benefit of partnering with South Africa has been useful, without being transformative.
If the South African sides were not involved, they could either return to Super Rugby – which has been badly hampered by their departure – or focus on their own competition.
However the South Africans’ hand in the URC is about to be strengthened. The South African Rugby Union (SARU) will gain full membership status of the URC in June 2025, which is significant from a commercial and ownership standpoint.
As for the Champions Cup, a British and Irish league would render it almost obsolete. One favoured solution among some club figures would be to run a British and Irish league through the season, before the campaign culminated with a Club World Cup – involving the South Africans and other southern hemisphere sides.
Either way, the current European Professional Club Rugby shareholder agreement is locked in until 2030, which would preclude major changes until then.
