Rugby Expo Announces Main Stage Debate on the Future of European Club Rugby

CEO’s from Premiership Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby, Ospreys and M&C Saatchi take to the stage to debate the biggest game changer for the sport since turning professional.

For the past two years representatives from ERC, Premiership Rugby, Top 14 in France and a number of constituent bodies have been in discussions about the future design and configuration of European rugby competitions.

While in recent days there appears to be movements towards a resolution in the tournament’s structure and design, many questions remain around the plans for next year’s cup competitions involving club sides from England, France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy in what could see the most fundamental changes to the European club game since the sport turned professional in 1996.  

Understanding the detail around who will govern the new tournaments and the relationship between the clubs and the unions, who will own and sell the commercial rights, who will broadcast the matches and how the revenues will be distributed amongst the clubs have all yet to be communicated to the wider rugby public as media interest in the negotiations intensifies.  

With so much to debate and the stakes so high for all involved, Rugby Expo is delighted to be hosting the biggest live debate for the sport in 2013 as Premiership Rugby CEO Mark McCafferty, Edinburgh Rugby CEO David Davies, Ospreys CEO Andrew Hore and M&C Saatchi CEO Steve Martin, who will discuss the view of potential sponsors, take part in in a main stage discussion on the future plans for European rugby and how the changes to the new tournament will impact the game.

The panel discussion takes place in the Rose Suite at 12.00 and is sure to be standing room only. With the exhibition floor sold out and agreements with Premiership Rugby, Pro 12 and the Championship guaranteeing the largest club attendance at the event since its launch in 2008 if you don’t want to miss the debate of the year at rugby’s biggest B2B networking event of the year please contact Jason McMahon on +44 (0)7881 288900 or at jason@rugbyexpo.com.