Former French international and Clermont legend Morgan Parra has admitted that he is disappointed that South African franchises have been excepted into the Champions Cup.
While he acknowledges that playing these sides will be a great experience, he has suggested that it may devalue the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup, and that they should rename both tournaments.
Will South African Sids Devalue The Champions Cup
“I’m going to be honest: it’s a great experience for the players who are going to face these franchises but for me, it’s no longer called the Champions Cup," said Parra in an interview with Midi Olympique. "Before, it was the European Cup – with real meaning and history, too.
“I have nothing against the southern hemisphere but today it is no longer the European Cup. Let it be called something else and say that the European Cup no longer exists. And it’s the same for the Challenge Cup, it no longer exists. For me, the two competitions should not be played with South African clubs.”
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22 January 2022; Morgan Parra of ASM Clermont Auvergne during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A match between Ulster and Clermont Auvergne at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Parra also went onto to describe the one Champions Cup match he would change, which he said was the 2013 final against Toulon in the Aviva Stadium.
“To be European champion in 2013 with the ASM. When you are young, you watch on TV the great teams that lift the Brennus Shield and the European Cup.
“Me, I saw Brive and Toulouse (win in Europe), so I wanted to be among them… We came so close that year. This final perhaps forged me a little more, and also made me grow."
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