Towards an Iberian championship

On 15 July 2008 Portuguese and Spanish rugby administrators met in Lisbon to discuss the way forward for competitions on the Peninsula.

Those at the meeting were Manuel Martin, the president of Asociación de Clubes de Rugby (ACR) who was there with a mandate from the Spanish Rugby Federation, the president and the secretary of the Portuguese Rugby Federation, Dídio de Aguiar and Delfim Barreira, and Manuel de Fonseca, the representatives of the Portuguese clubs.

The following agreements were reached:

1. It is considered important for the development of rugby, the improvement of the competitive level and for increased media coverage   in both countries that a club competition be introduced to include the best sides in each of the national competitions. Both federations agreed on this and had made calendar allowances for the 2008-09 season.

2. The agreements concerning the competition's commercial and advertising opportunities will be transparent and clearly laid down.

3. Efforts will be made to have matches televised in both countries.

4. The competition is to be a knock-out over three days involving four teams from each country. The possibility of extending the competition to five days is to be examined.

5. The approval of the International Rugby Board needs to be sought.

6. In September the ACR will present a draft agreement to all parties with a formula for the running of the competition.