His club are already undisputed kings of Europe, he just wants to regulate his kingdom.
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has made his latest attack on the status quo of European rugby, calling for the creation of a European Super League.
The millionaire publisher, who has seen his team win the European Cup for the past three seasons, is no stranger to kicking up a fuss with controversial proposals.
The cynical among us may just see this as the latest round in his ongoing row with the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) over the salary cap. Back in January he was talking about Toulon joining the Premiership, but his contrarian plans are growing larger in scale.
In a move reminiscent of similar ones afoot in European football, Boudjellal has called for the raising of the European drawbridge and, similarly to football, it could result in some of Europe’s most in-form teams being left behind.
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Boudjellal’s plan calls for eight Celtic teams, which would likely mean a maximum of three Irish provinces, alongside three Welsh regions and the two Scottish professional sides.
Who would Boudjellal rather have involved, Leinster, Munster and Ulster – plus their modern stadiums and large fan bases – or little old Connacht out there in the under-populated West?
Connacht are the PRO12 table toppers but, like Leicester City in football, they do not fit in with the money men’s idea of a “Big Club”.
It is highly unlikely to come to pass but, given the mixed views on the Pro12 among supporters, would there be support from Boudjellal’s suggestion?
