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'Degree of sadness': Exit statement from EPCR chairman Halliday

(Photo by Juan Gasperini/MI News/NurPhoto)

Ex-England winger Simon Halliday has issued a statement after he stepped down as EPCR chairman following the completion of two terms of office. The 1991 World Cup finalists became the figurehead of the European tournaments when EPCR was set up to replace the old ERC organisation following reform pressure from the English and French clubs.  

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Halliday now signs off with the future of the Champions and Challenge Cups secure following a new eight-year agreement among the various EPCR stakeholders and a recruitment process is underway to appoint a new chairman and a CEO following the exit of Vincent Gaillard.

EPCR have confirmed that Anthony Lepage, who has been administration and finance director since 2014, has been appointed CEO on an interim basis with the recruitment process for long-term appointments underway. In the meantime, Halliday has issued his EPCR farewell via a Wednesday morning statement that read: 

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“My term as chairman of EPCR has naturally come to an end after nearly six-and-a-half years and I admit to a degree of sadness, but also excitement. As I depart the scene of the best club rugby tournaments in the world, I know that it will become even better over the next number of years.

“EPCR has signed a new eight-year agreement which I believe is a triumph of negotiation and shared objectives between the leagues and unions of Europe. This will guarantee the long-term future of both the Heineken Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup. At the same time, this will create clarity for the international and club calendar. 

“The players and all rugby fans will be delighted as for them, the European tournaments have become a vital piece of their season’s ambitions. I wish to congratulate all our stakeholders for their steadfast commitment to achieve lasting change in the business of EPCR and to lay out a platform for the continued success of the tournaments. This was against the background of a pandemic that has threatened the very future of our game. 

“From this new agreement, we are now working on the participation of the South African provinces and building towards a Club World Cup every four years which would replace the latter stages of the Heineken Champions Cup. Together with our improved formats, reduced pool matches and more knockout rugby, EPCR is in a great position to grow. Our newly formed board is superbly well-equipped and structured to deliver on this growth and I wish them every success.

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“I pay tribute to the EPCR team for their exceptional efforts in producing a string of outstanding competitions and especially our finals weekends which have gone from strength to strength over the last six years, despite the inevitable restrictions. Also to acknowledge their commitment throughout the times of Covid-19 and their professionalism to keep our tournaments running. They do much of the hidden work and now, with the combined resources of our three leagues, the outlook is incredibly exciting.

“In summary, I cannot think of a better time to be involved in EPCR. I thank all our business and commercial partners for their tremendous support and I know that the best is yet to come!

“Lastly, I thank with all my heart the clubs, provinces and unions who have made me so welcome at their stadiums over the last six-and-a-half years. It has been a special time and I have made many valued friends. For me, rugby has always been a great passion and I’m sure that I will not be far from grounds in the coming years and hope to see many of you in the future.

“To all at EPCR, I say good luck, bonne chance and buona fortuna. It has been a real privilege. To the rugby world at large, be excited at the way European club rugby is developing and please show your support because there are thrilling times ahead.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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