WRU chief Steve Phillips battles for guarantees over regions in Champions Cup
LLANELLI, WALES - APRIL 04: Leigh Halfpenny of Scarlets is tackled by Byron McGuigan during the Heineken Cup Champions Cup match between Scarlets and Sale Sharks at Parc y Scarlets on April 04, 2021 in Llanelli, Wales. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
WRU boss Steve Phillips is battling to get a two-year guarantee that at least one region will play in the Champions Cup once the four new South African teams join the Guinness PRO14.
The top four teams from each of the two PRO14 conferences qualified for the Champions Cup this season and Wales were represented by the Scarlets and Dragons.
But the concern in Wales is that unless there is a dramatic improvement in the domestic performances by the four regions, the introduction of the four, power-packed South African sides could mean Wales failing to earn a seat at the top table of European competition.
“We are fighting to stop that from happening,” admitted Phillips.
“At the moment the ambition is, for a trial period while we adjust to the South African teams coming on board, for there to be a reversion back to the old-style geography-type qualification.
“We need them to bed in and this is an issue that has been flagged and we are concerned about. We feel we have dealt with it for the next two years.”
Phillips, who also sits on the British & Irish Lions board, is unsure whether the Sharks, Stormers, Lions and Bulls will be able to join the competition next season if there isn't a dramatic upturn in the Covid-19 vaccination programme in South Africa.
“South Africa are way behind us in terms of a vaccination strategy. They won't get that in place before the Lions tour,” said Phillips. “There will be a lot of learnings to come out of the Lions experience this summer, but what we don't know is where South Africa will be with their Covid-19 vaccinations come September.
“We could travel there, but it will be a case of looking at how the medical stuff is dealt with first.”
On the domestic front, Phillips faces a critical face-to-face meeting of the Professional Rugby Board next month. “Budget talks with the regions are ongoing and we meet every two weeks to talk about it, but the next challenge is going to be if we are not back at near capacity crowds in the autumn,” he added.
By ROB COLE
