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European Cup changes would hit Dragons, says Darren Edwards
Newport Gwent Dragons head coach Darren Edwards admits the region could find it harder than ever to qualify if the Heineken Cup is revamped.
English and French clubs want changes to the competition, with qualification from the Pro12 a key issue.
The Dragons have been in the Amlin Cup, the second tier of European competition, for the last two seasons.
"In some ways it's fair enough. You should get rewards for your performances," Edwards said.
"We're not all operating on even playing fields at the moment.
Darren Edwards Dragons head coach“The Amlin is really tough. That will still be a very, very good competition.”
"Maybe that will make everybody readdress the businesses and see how you get into the top end of the tables."
English and French clubs announced during the summer that they planned to withdraw from the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups when the current agreement governing the competitions expires in 2014.
As well as wanting to cut the Pro12 contingent in the Heineken Cup from 10 to six, they believe the value of European rugby is being undersold.
European Rugby Cup, the tournament's governing body, is in dispute with Premier Rugby - which represents the English Premiership clubs - over a £152m TV deal with BT Vision.
Stakeholders of ERC met with the Rugby Football Union and Premier Rugby in Dublin on Tuesday and the talks were described as "productive."
Further discussions for a new agreement on the future of European club rugby will be held in Rome on 8 October.
Heineken Cup qualification for Welsh regions is currently based on how they finish amongst themselves in the Pro12 season.
Edwards concedes any changes would make it harder for his side to qualify for the Heineken Cup.
The Dragons are the only Pro12 side who will not feature in this season's Heineken Cup and will play in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Their first game is on 13 October away to English Premiership side London Wasps and Edwards expects a competitive campaign.
"The Amlin is really tough," added the Dragons coach.
"We were down in Perpignan last year playing in the Amlin, which is a pretty tough place to go and a pretty good team.
"That will still be a very, very good competition."
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Comment number 36.
ulsterrrrr22nd September 2012 - 15:36
Still don't think 50% from each union is going to create this elite cup you guys are wanting. If you want the absolute best club teams together then qualification will have to be based on the ERC european rankings. The format of this will need tweaked obviously but its a better way to guarantee the best teams are involved in the HEC.
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Comment number 35.
Albertramsbottom22nd September 2012 - 14:40
10 teams from 12 get automatic qualification in the pro twelve - when it's put this way there is no argument at all. It needs to change
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Comment number 34.
SteveWalshsDubiousDecision22nd September 2012 - 13:00
The point is not that the Rabo teams can focus on the HC because there's no relegation it's because they can focus on it because there's no HC qualification from the Rabo. Also it's clearly not an international competition Munster enter it not Ireland. It's a club competition and needs to be judged on performance not location of the club.
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Comment number 33.
Andrew22nd September 2012 - 10:51
The idea that Leinster/Munster/Ospreys etc. can focus on the HC because they don't have relegation is a nonsense! When have any of these teams come close to finishing bottom of the league!? Ultimately, we must remember that the point of the HC is an international competition. England have 6 places. How they allocate them is up to them!
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Comment number 32.
JohnnyWAL21st September 2012 - 20:52
ultimately its a club competition where each major union in Europe is represented, both Heineken and Amlin. If the English and the French feel like they are disadvantaged then why not follow suit with Australia new Zealand south Africa wales Ireland and Scotland and have your top level of rugby as representative teams of rugby regions with no relegation
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Comments 5 of 36