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These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, January 19.
Rugby chiefs speak out amid criticism
European rugby bosses have defended the current format of the Champions Cup and say it will not change until 2030, despite heavy criticism from supporters, players and executives.
The current format of Europe’s top cup competition sees 24 teams split into four pools of six, with the field reduced to 16 ahead of the knockout stages.
Along with the second-tier Challenge Cup, the tournament has come under scrutiny for more than one reason, not least the fact that teams often send weakened sides to matches in the knowledge that two or even one victory will be enough to send them through to the round of 16.
The last round of matches over the weekend saw the likes of Sale and Edinburgh rest key players for their matches away to Toulouse and Bath respectively, and suffer 77-7 and 63-10 defeats in the process. Leicester Tigers and the Bulls, meanwhile, have both made it past the pool stages despite winning just one match each.
However, despite the mounting criticism, organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) insist that the format is working and will face no major alteration for the next four years, pointing to greater ‘fan engagement’ and some thrilling pool stage match-ups as examples of its success.
“It was the most competitive pool stage in recent years from a sporting side, and a high-stakes weekend we just had,” EPCR chief executive Jacques Raynaud told The Times.
“Whatever the team lineups, the injury rate, the overriding impression is that we have Test-match rugby in club colours, and unpredictable, superb rugby on the pitch.
“I know there are opinions that it could be more elite, but the truth is it’s still delivering fantastic rugby, on superb stages. Maybe not the entire 20 matches per weekend, but we can measure it with fan engagement. I’m not just sugar-coating it. The data points are out there.”
On calls to change the format of the competition, Raynaud added that the only alteration that may be pursued is for the tournament to start earlier in the year.
“This format and time date is currently fixed until 2030,” he said. “Remember, our job is not only to provide cheese and dessert.
“We have to lay on a great compelling tournament from a sporting, fan side and to have the financial formula that is liked by TV, sponsors and host cities so we can maximize what we’re generating for the club game.
“We have a compelling tournament with a stable format that is delivering what we wanted,” he added. “Can it be improved? I think it can; one of the things we’re looking at is to start earlier, and we’re looking at maybe separating the round of 16 and quarter-finals.”
Trailblazing referee retires
The world’s first professional female rugby union referee, Sara Cox, has announced her international retirement.
Cox, who has officiated at the last five Women’s Rugby World Cups, holds the record for the most international matches officiated by a referee, with her 51st and final match coming at last year’s World Cup quarter-final between New Zealand and South Africa.
After becoming the first female professional referee in 2016, she went on to become the first female to referee in England’s National League One, Champ Rugby, PREM Rugby Cup and PREM. As well as Rugby World Cups, Cox has also officiated at 11 Women’s Six Nations and two Olympic Games as well as the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens.
She ends her career as the joint 14th most-capped Test referee in history, as well as the fourth English official to reach 50 Tests after Chris White, Luke Pearce and Wayne Barnes. Announcing her international retirement on Monday, the trailblazing referee said: “I feel very privileged to have officiated at the highest level of the global game for over a decade.
“Rugby has given me amazing experiences but after the high of a home World Cup, now feels like the right time to hang up my international boots and spend some time on other interests while continuing to give my all to the club game.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported my career, I wouldn’t be where I am without the amazing team around me and a group of fantastic colleagues both in England and when travelling around the world.
“But most of all I’d like to thank my friends and family – particularly my mum who has always been my biggest supporter. Being able to referee a game in Exeter, my hometown, during last summer’s World Cup was a moment of real pride and amazing to do so in front of people who’ve championed me in my career but not always been able to travel to the far-flung places I’ve worked.
“I look forward to continuing to referee in our domestic leagues and hopefully continuing to encourage other women to see match officiating as a role for them.”
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson added: “On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to congratulate Sara on a stellar career.
“Sara is one of the great international referees – a pioneer, who has done it all. Five Women’s Rugby World Cups, as well as Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Her professionalism, determination and infectious enthusiasm played a significant role in driving forward standards within international refereeing.
“Beyond the incredible achievements on the international stage, Sara will always be the inspirational trailblazer, who paved the way for a new generation of men and women to take up the whistle. Thank you for the memories and your enormous contribution to our great game. We wish you all the best as a new chapter begins.”
Van Zyl: Exeter defeat tough to take
Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl has admitted that his side’s heavy Challenge Cup defeat to Exeter Chiefs was “a tough one to take” as they missed out on a home draw in the knockout stages.
A dominant first-half performance from Exeter saw them head into the half-time break with three tries to their name and no points conceded and, while there were some improvements from Cardiff in the second half, the hosts at Sandy Park scored twice more to record a 31-0 win.
Having been denied a home draw in the round of 16, van Zyl’s side now face an Easter trip to Benetton, who they will also meet at Cardiff Arms Park this weekend in a return to URC action.
Reflecting on his side’s defeat to the Chiefs, the Cardiff coach said: “It’s obviously a tough one to take, but Exeter put us under a lot of pressure in that first half and made it difficult for us to get any real rhythm. When we did get a few chances to play in the right areas, we just didn’t quite execute as well as we would have liked.”
“The positive for us was definitely the response after the break,” he added. “We spoke about a few things at half-time and that really showed, especially in the first 20 minutes. We had more field position and spent more time in the right areas, which was pleasing.”
“We’re focused on growing as a team and finding ways to get better,” he added. “It’s about learning from these experiences but also projecting our energy forward. Getting that balance right is really important for us.”
“With the next round a few weeks down the line, right now our attention goes straight to next week and what’s in front of us. We want to impress in front of our home fans.”
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