Within a decade it was being heralded by no less an authority than the Observer as the greatest rugby tournament. More colourful than regular domestic competitions; more competitive than the World Cup; more teams than the Six Nations or (as was then) the Tri-Nations. On the eve of the 10th season, in 2004, Eddie Butler described the competition as a "new cultural experience" to rival the Six Nations.
The northern hemisphere had just produced its first (and to date only) world champions, and, get this, the cumulative deficit of the nine Premiership clubs who filed accounts that season was a little over £1m. Four of them were in profit. The salary cap was £2m.
How times change. As we sit on the eve of the 28th edition, which kicks off on Friday on the shores of the Thames, when London Irish host Montpellier, does anyone feel the same way about the competition that in its heyday not even the most curmudgeonly would flinch at calling by its sponsor's name?
This story is from the December 07, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 07, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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