'Real warmth' towards Club Rugby World Cup, says EPCR

A Club World Cup could be established by 2028 as a "real warmth" to develop the concept grows, according to European Professional Club Rugby chairman Dominic McKay.

Earlier this week, the EPCR welcomed representatives from every club in its competitions as well as those from the United Rugby Championship, Ligue Nationale de Rugby and Premiership Rugby along with international governing bodies Six Nations Rugby, World Rugby and the women's game for a stakeholders conference in Toulouse.

During the two-day event, which involved 42 clubs, delegates discussed the opportunities and challenges facing professional sides and tournaments.

As part of those, McKay revealed there was clear support from across Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand for a blueprint of the top teams in the world coming together for a combined competition every four years.

McKay (below) feels a more balanced global international calendar now provides clarity on the weekend blocks potentially available.

The event would likely be scheduled for the end of the Champions Cup, with the best European qualifiers then going up against those from the southern hemisphere, including Japan, in a knockout competition during the June window.

"There is a real warmth to develop a Club World Cup. A number of clubs from France and the UK were pushing us quite hard," McKay said.

"We know it is a complicated project. We are keen to really work hard to deliver it, but it needs to be additive.

"It really needs to work in terms of the calendar format and logistics for the players number one. Then secondly, it needs to make sure that it is done in a way which is respectful sustainably, so we are not interested in just doing a one off Club World Cup.

"We want to do something