by Here are your rugby headlines for Tuesday, May 7.
Fear of Champions Cup coverage
The Investec Champions Cup could disappear from mainstream TV in the UK next season.
The European Professional Rugby Club (EPCR), which organizes the competition, has failed to renew a deal with current broadcasters TNT Sports, the Times reports. The publication understands that competition leaders have few viable options other than TNT – formerly BT Sport – and sources fear European rugby could be left “out in the cold” if no deal is reached.
TNT currently broadcasts Gallagher’s Premiership and will show the Autumn Test series later this year after taking over the rights from Amazon Prime. He will show the Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse on May 25 but his current deal with EPCR will then expire.
However, it is said that the broadcaster is keen to continue showing the competition but not at an increased price. Other broadcasters, including Viaplay – which shows the URC – have smaller budgets and Sky Sports have cut their rugby union coverage, except for summer trials and Lions tours, meaning there are other options limited.
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The Champions Cup poses a financial and logistical challenge for broadcasters, especially with the addition of teams from South Africa. TNT provided commentary on matches in South Africa from its studios in London, and high costs meant it did not send punditry teams to some matches in France this season.
While the format will remain the same for at least next season, competition chiefs are said to be keen to explore the idea of bringing the competition’s semi-finals to one neutral city in Europe, as they seek to “ creating a rugby festival. “. Portugal are said to have expressed an interest, with an attempt to hold the last four clashes at Estadio da Luz Benfica made earlier this season.
Prop killed in a car accident
Portugal international Pierre Matheu-Fernandes has died at the age of 22 after being involved in a car accident.
The tight-headed prop helped his side to their first bronze medal in the 2019 Men’s European Rugby U18 Championship, scoring three tries during the campaign. He then became an under-20 international before making his senior debut in 2023, coming off the bench against Belgium in the European Rugby Championship to win his first cap.
Tragically, that was also his last international appearance when he was killed in an accident over the weekend, said to be in Saint-Clair-du-Rhone, near Lyon. Despite playing internationally for Portugal, he was born and raised in Clermont before representing Chambery and later rivals CS Vienne.
The Portuguese Rugby Union released a short statement on its website on Saturday: “It is with great sadness that FPR announce the death of Portugal international Pierre Fernandes following a road accident.
The 22-year-old prop, who currently plays for Vienne Rugby, was also an under-20 international for Portugal, after finishing second in Europe in 2021. FPR sends its deepest condolences to Pierre’s entire family and thanks them for their contribution. for sport.”
CS Vienne also issued a statement, which read: “With great sadness and emotion, we have to inform you of the tragic death of one of our players, Pierre-Mathieu Fernandes, due to a car accident. He was only twenty-two.
“He played as a tighthead prop for our CS Vienne and was known by PM. Born and raised in Clermont, he also played for Chambéry. Our thoughts are now with his family, friends, and the community, as well as his teammates and club. teams, as we take this news with shock.”
RFU given a call after up with the future of the Championship
The future of English second tier club Cornish Pirates could be in jeopardy after they confirmed they had only issued contracts until the end of the current season.
Three English Premier League clubs – London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors – went to the wall last season and last year’s championship winners Jersey Reds went to the wall earlier this season. The Rugby Union has continually reduced Championship funding and promotion to the Premiership has been suspended from the 2020/21 season.
Cornish Pirates shareholder Dicky Evans said in a statement that contracts have been issued for the 2024-25 season only which includes a transfer clause that can be activated in January 2025. Evans also revealed that there are two consortia interested in taking over the club but they are waiting. hear what the RFU’s plans are for the Championship.
“It is clear that new investors have confidence that the RFU supports promotion based on merit and will not inflate the rugby market in favor of a handful of Premiership clubs, who are locked in their ivory tower and will not let Championship clubs through the door,” Evans said.
“Those decisions have been delayed again. “As this season draws to a close, I am determined that, despite the need to change the terms of their contracts, the players and staff have the certainty that they are part of the future of the Pirates. where we are still a proud Cornish employer and a top class Championship club.
“One day, in my lifetime, a Premiership Club. Therefore, it is the duty of the RFU to provide a solid foundation on which new investors in this famous rugby club can base their financial decisions.” Rugby Championship Chairman Simon Halliday also expressed his concern about the situation.
“I appreciate Cornish Pirates for the honesty of their statement. It shows the utmost frustration for not only Dicky and the Cornish Pirates board, but for the Championship in general,” Halliday told Telegraph Sport.
“This has to be another wake-up call for the game – we’ve been saying this for months. We still don’t have enough answers to encourage investors, both potential and existing, that the deal on the table for Championship clubs is a positive outcome for the whole game.”
Curry returns after seven months out
At PA Sports Team
England full-back Tom Curry has made significant progress in his return from major hip surgery and is looking for “great form” in training, Sale Sharks head coach Alex Sanderson has said.
The 25-year-old has not played since England’s bronze-medal final victory over Argentina at last year’s Rugby World Cup, following surgery to address arthritic changes and tears to the labrum and cartilage.
But Sanderson said Curry came through his first high-intensity training session with the rest of the Sale squad this week and topped his team-mates in a number of measures, a very promising sign after months of rehabilitation.
“He did well, he was communicating and driving standards very well,” said Sanderson. “We don’t know how he will go through the week. This is his first full week of training but we will have a better idea, probably on Thursday, of how his body feels.
“I’m surprised how well he’s moving. He topped (all the measures). I know it was only one block, but for someone who’s been out as long as he’s been, he’s coming on back in great shape. His ability to come back is what we are questioning now.
“He moves so well, he speaks so passionately, he’s a great athlete and a great player. If he’s OK, he’s not far off.”
