Latest news with #InvestecChampionsCup
Sydney Morning Herald
20-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rebel rugby raid on stars as real as a PNG corruption scandal
His agent Bruce Sharrock confirmed the story was correct, but had one detail wrong - the million dollar figure we floated was 'unders'. R360 is believed to be offering deals up to $US2m a season, more than double Kalyn Ponga's $1.4m a year at the Knights which makes him the highest-paid player in the NRL. If they're throwing well over a million at Tuivasa-Sheck in the twilight of his career, how much will be thrown at other known targets in Ponga and Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen? And how much will be thrown at as yet unknown targets? For R360 to pull off its grand plan of eight franchises bouncing around the world F1 and LIV Golf-style between June and September next year and beyond, it needs at least 200 players - or 25 per team. The competition will primarily interest a northern hemisphere audience, and will target players currently in the Investec Champions Cup (formerly Heineken Cup), the premier European competition. If you want to sell a new competition to European rugby fans you need players known to them. But they will want international players to boost interest and television rights in other parts of the world in this global-based sports economy. There's even talk of a pacific-based team. Finding proper answers about exactly where R360 is at is like trying to catch air, but a few things are known. By September, organisers need three things to secure the proposed Saudi Investment Fund and other private equity funding. It needs the eight franchises purchased and formalised as legal entities, a broadcast partner on board and the two hundred players signed. It is believed they have the commitment of 140 players. While this is a huge problem for rugby, with the World Cup looming in 2027, it's also a big problem for the NRL. With the Perth Bears entering in 2027 and PNG scheduled for 2028, the NRL needs players. As many as it can get. With 17 teams right now the playing ranks are already thin, and some positions are desperately short such as halves. When it grows to 19 teams, a further 70-odd players are needed. Even ten players signing with R360 would hurt. The live example is LIV Golf. In Australia, many think it's a success because the Adelaide event is so popular. But, it's a rarity and is about the only one. In the United States, it is an absolute disaster. Poor crowds are an issue, but the bigger issue is television viewing numbers. On Fox Sports in the US, the average number tuning in is about 175,000. Some Sundays have drawn about 400,000. That's compared to an average PGA Tour audience of about three million on CBS and NBC. The LIV number is beyond disastrous and tanking worse than the careers of many who signed their careers-away to play. Luckily for them, they were paid up front as for many their form and relevance has disappeared without a trace. Cam Smith anyone? Loading Whether LIV is working or not doesn't matter - what matters is they signed great players such as Phil Mickelson, our own Smith and Marc Leishman, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau etc and took them out of the PGA Tour and the Tour is now weaker for it. Threats to the NRL have come and gone before, and it has survived. It always will. But right now, times are delicate. Some teams, such as the Wests Tigers have been appalling for years and new teams are coming.
The Age
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Rebel rugby raid on stars as real as a PNG corruption scandal
His agent Bruce Sharrock confirmed the story was correct, but had one detail wrong - the million dollar figure we floated was 'unders'. R360 is believed to be offering deals up to $US2m a season, more than double Kalyn Ponga's $1.4m a year at the Knights which makes him the highest-paid player in the NRL. If they're throwing well over a million at Tuivasa-Sheck in the twilight of his career, how much will be thrown at other known targets in Ponga and Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen? And how much will be thrown at as yet unknown targets? For R360 to pull off its grand plan of eight franchises bouncing around the world F1 and LIV Golf-style between June and September next year and beyond, it needs at least 200 players - or 25 per team. The competition will primarily interest a northern hemisphere audience, and will target players currently in the Investec Champions Cup (formerly Heineken Cup), the premier European competition. If you want to sell a new competition to European rugby fans you need players known to them. But they will want international players to boost interest and television rights in other parts of the world in this global-based sports economy. There's even talk of a pacific-based team. Finding proper answers about exactly where R360 is at is like trying to catch air, but a few things are known. By September, organisers need three things to secure the proposed Saudi Investment Fund and other private equity funding. It needs the eight franchises purchased and formalised as legal entities, a broadcast partner on board and the two hundred players signed. It is believed they have the commitment of 140 players. While this is a huge problem for rugby, with the World Cup looming in 2027, it's also a big problem for the NRL. With the Perth Bears entering in 2027 and PNG scheduled for 2028, the NRL needs players. As many as it can get. With 17 teams right now the playing ranks are already thin, and some positions are desperately short such as halves. When it grows to 19 teams, a further 70-odd players are needed. Even ten players signing with R360 would hurt. The live example is LIV Golf. In Australia, many think it's a success because the Adelaide event is so popular. But, it's a rarity and is about the only one. In the United States, it is an absolute disaster. Poor crowds are an issue, but the bigger issue is television viewing numbers. On Fox Sports in the US, the average number tuning in is about 175,000. Some Sundays have drawn about 400,000. That's compared to an average PGA Tour audience of about three million on CBS and NBC. The LIV number is beyond disastrous and tanking worse than the careers of many who signed their careers-away to play. Luckily for them, they were paid up front as for many their form and relevance has disappeared without a trace. Cam Smith anyone? Loading Whether LIV is working or not doesn't matter - what matters is they signed great players such as Phil Mickelson, our own Smith and Marc Leishman, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau etc and took them out of the PGA Tour and the Tour is now weaker for it. Threats to the NRL have come and gone before, and it has survived. It always will. But right now, times are delicate. Some teams, such as the Wests Tigers have been appalling for years and new teams are coming.
The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Leinster Rugby make drastic change to new jersey ‘to align with wider club values' in major break from tradition
LEINSTER RUGBY has revealed the club's new home jersey - with a major change to previous kits. The province has ditched the four stars that used to adorn the shirt, representing their four 3 Leinster Rugby revealed a new home kit for 2025/26 Credit: Twitter/Leinster Rugby 3 Jamison Gibson-Park, Josh van der Flier, and Sam Prendergast modelled the shirt Credit: Twitter/Leinster Rugby 3 The shirt will no longer bear the four stars representing their Champions Cup titles Credit: Twitter/Leinster Rugby And while Leo Cullen's men will once again go in search for their fifth title in 2025/26, their past success will not be represented on the kit in non-European competition. The four stars will, however, remain on the European jersey worn in the Investec Champions Cup, in celebration of the victories in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018. Explaining why, Rugby club values, to ensure that the playing kit celebrates all the players and all the teams that wear it." The new kit will be worn by the men and women's teams, as well as the age grade and junior rugby squads this forthcoming season. Read More on Leinster Rugby They will be worn competitively for the first time in the upcoming Vodafone Senior Women's Interprovincial Championship next month. Leinster Rugby CEO Shane Nolan, said, 'This decision reflects our ambition to be representative of the whole club, across all teams and all competitions . 'We are incredibly proud of our Champions Cup history and the stars will remain on our European jersey, but we also believe the home jersey should speak to and celebrate the full Leinster journey for our men's and our women's teams and of course our age grade and junior rugby representative teams – past, present and future . 'There is no doubt that the landscape is changing. Most read in Rugby Union "We are entering a period of huge opportunity and growth for the women's game, in particular, and we want to be ahead of that change as best we can on a number of fronts. "This is just one example and Castore have worked very closely with us on that, as well as consulting with our players. Inside Scotland and Lions hero's stunning house that boasts giant basement room with bar for FIFTY people to party 'Importantly, the stars will remain on our European kit, as a proud tribute to our Champions Cup achievements and the rich legacy behind them. 'This new jersey represents us all. "We think that supporters will love it, and that our players will love pulling it on.' Fourteen Leinster players are currently with the British & Irish Lions for their tour of Australia . And seven of those have been named to start in the opening test against the Wallabies. Australia on Saturday morning at 11am Irish time, with the Provincial teammates And when it comes to the forwards,
Irish Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Leinster explain reason why there won't be four stars on URC jersey next season
Leinster will not wear the four stars representing their four Champions Cup wins on their home and alternative jerseys for the coming URC season. Players have spoken about adding a fifth star to the shirt since the province's last European triumph in 2018 - and Leinster have come close on numerous occasions to doing so, without getting over the line. Launching the new 2025/26 home jersey made by Castore on Thursday, Leinster in a statement have said the decision to remove the stars for URC games is 'to align with wider Leinster Rugby club values, to ensure that the playing kit celebrates all the players and all the teams that wear it'. The four stars will remain on the club's European jersey worn in the Investec Champions Cup, in celebration of the victories in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018. The new kit will be worn by the men and women's teams, as well as the age grade and junior rugby squads this forthcoming season and will be worn competitively for the first time in the upcoming Vodafone Senior Women's Interprovincial Championship next month. Leinster CEO Shane Nolan explained: "This decision reflects our ambition to be representative of the whole club, across all teams and all competitions. "We are incredibly proud of our Champions Cup history and the stars will remain on our European jersey, but we also believe the home jersey should speak to and celebrate the full Leinster journey for our men's and our women's teams and of course our age grade and junior rugby representative teams - past, present and future. "There is no doubt that the landscape is changing. We are entering a period of huge opportunity and growth for the women's game, in particular, and we want to be ahead of that change as best we can on a number of fronts "This is just one example and Castore have worked very closely with us on that, as well as consulting with our players. Importantly, the stars will remain on our European kit, as a proud tribute to our Champions Cup achievements and the rich legacy behind them. "This new jersey represents us all. We think that supporters will love it, and that our players will love pulling it on." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
The Herald Scotland
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh Rugby Investec Champions Cup matches confirmed
"Edinburgh will kick off their European journey with a massive home opener against French giants RC Toulon at Hive Stadium on Sunday 7 December, kick-off 5.30pm. This promises to be a spectacular start to the campaign, as Edinburgh look to lay down an early marker against one of European rugby's most decorated clubs. "Sean Everitt's men will then embark on their first away trip, facing Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre-Fabre on Sunday 14 December (kick-off 1pm GMT). This rematch follows encounters in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, with Edinburgh notably securing a famous Investec Champions Cup away win against the French side in January 2023. "The new year will see the capital side return to Hive Stadium for a massive Friday night lights clash in Round 3, hosting Gloucester on Friday 9 January, kick-off 8pm. Edinburgh faced the Kingsholm outfit in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 EPCR Challenge Cup campaigns, setting the stage for another compelling Anglo-Scottish encounter. European rugby: locked in 🔒 Your @ChampionsCup fixtures are here and it's going to be epic! Don't miss it ➡️ — Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) July 15, 2025 "Edinburgh will conclude their European pool stage fixtures with a highly anticipated Friday night clash away to Bath at The Rec on Friday 9 January, kick-off 8pm. "This fixture is a rematch of last season's thrilling EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final, where Bath emerged victorious 24-39 in a captivating encounter at a capacity Hive Stadium, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this contest against the reigning Gallagher Premiership and EPCR Challenge Cup Champions. "The best way to secure your place at two monumental European nights at Hive Stadium against RC Toulon and Gloucester is with a 2025/26 season ticket! With limited places available, supporters are encouraged to secure their season ticket TODAY and be part of two huge can't-miss fixtures."
