Today's rugby news as international prop killed in car accident and fears emerge over major competition

These are your rugby headlines on Tuesday, May 7.

Fears over Champions Cup coverage

The Investec Champions Cup could disappear from mainstream TV in the UK next season.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), who organise the tournament, have failed to agree a renewed deal with current broadcasters TNT Sports, the Times reports. The publication understands that the tournament bosses have few viable options other than TNT - formerly BT Sport - with sources concerned that European rugby could be "left out in the cold" unless a deal is struck.

TNT currently broadcasts the Gallagher Premiership and will also show the Autumn Nations Test series later this year after taking the rights from Amazon Prime. It will show the Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse on May 25 but its current deal with EPCR will then expire.

The broadcaster is, however, said to be keen to continue showing the tournament but not for an increased price. Other broadcasters, including Viaplay - which shows the URC - have a smaller budget, while Sky Sports have cut back on their rugby union coverage, save for summer Tests and Lions tours, meaning other options are limited.

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The Champions Cup is financially and logistically challenging for broadcasters, particularly with the addition of teams from South Africa. TNT has provided commentary on games being held in South Africa from its studios in London, while high costs meant they did not send punditry teams out to some games in France this season.

While the format will stay the same for at least the next season, tournament bosses are also said to be keen to explore the idea of taking the competition's semi-finals to one neutral city in Europe, in a move to create a "festival of rugby". Portugal is said to have expressed interest, with a bid to hold the last-four clashes at Benfica's Estadio da Luz reportedly made earlier this season.

Prop killed in car accident

Portugal international Pierre Matheiu-Fernandes has died aged 22 after being involved in a car accident.

The tighthead prop helped his side to their first bronze medal in the Men’s U18 Rugby Europe Championship in 2019, scoring three tries during the campaign. He then became an U20s international before making his debut for the senior side in 2023, coming off the bench against Belgium in the Rugby Europe Championship to win his first cap.

Tragically, that was also to be his last international appearance as he was killed in an accident over the weekend, reportedly in Saint-Clair-du-Rhone, near Lyon. Despite playing internationally for Portugal, he was born and raised in Clermont before representing Chambery and later rivals CS Vienne.

The Portuguese Rugby Union issued a short statement on their website on Saturday: "It is with great regret that FPR announces the death of Portuguese international, Pierre Fernandes, following a road accident.

The 22-year-old prop, currently playing for Vienne Rugby, was also an under-20 international for Portugal, having been runner-up in Europe in 2021. FPR leaves its most sincere condolences to Pierre's entire family and thanks them for their contribution to the sport."

CS Vienne also issued a statement, which read: “With great sadness and emotion, we have to inform you of the tragic death of one of our players, Pierre-Mathieu Fernandes, due to a car accident. He was only twenty-two.

"He played as a tighthead prop for our CS Vienne and was known by PM. Born and raised in Clermont, he also played for Chambéry. Our thoughts are now with his family, friends, and community, and as well with his teammates and club staff, as we take this news with shock.”

RFU given wake-up call over Championship future

English second tier club Cornish Pirates' future could be in jeopardy after they confirmed they had only issued contracts until the end of the current season.

Three English Premiership clubs - London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors - went to the wall last season while last year's championship winners Jersey Reds went to the wall earlier this season. The Rugby Football Union have continually slashed funding to the Championship while promotion to the Premiership has been suspended since the 2020/21 season.

Cornish Pirates shareholder Dicky Evans said in a statement contracts have been issued for the 2024-25 season only which include a break clause which can be activated in January 2025. Evans also revealed there are two consortiums interested in taking over the club but are waiting to hear what the RFU's plans for the Championship are.

“Understandably new investors need confidence that the RFU backs merit-based promotion and will not carve up the rugby market to favour a handful of Premiership clubs, locked in their ivory tower and allowing no Championship clubs through the door," said Evans.

"Those decisions have been delayed again. “As this season draws to a close, I am determined that, despite needing to vary the terms of their contracts, players and staff have the certainty that they are part of the Pirates’ future, a future in which we remain a proud Cornish employer and an elite top-flight Championship club.

"One day, in my lifetime, a Premiership Club. So, it’s down to the RFU to provide a solid foundation on which new investors in this very famous rugby club can base their financial decisions.” Championship Rugby Chairman Simon Halliday also expressed his concern at the situation.

“I massively admire Cornish Pirates for the honesty of their statement. It reflects the supreme frustration on behalf of not only Dicky and the Cornish Pirates board, but the Championship at large,” Halliday told Telegraph Sport.

“This has to be yet another wake-up call for the game – we have been saying this for months. We do not yet have enough answers to encourage investors, either prospective or current, that the deal on the table for Championship clubs is a positive result for the whole game.”

Curry nears return after seven months out

By PA Sport Staff

England back-row Tom Curry has taken a significant stride forward in his return from major hip surgery and is looking in "great shape" in training, Sale Sharks head coach Alex Sanderson has said.

The 25-year-old has not played since England's bronze final win over Argentina at last year's Rugby World Cup, following surgery to address arthritic change and tears to the labrum and cartilage.

But Sanderson said Curry came through his first high-intensity training session with the rest of the Sale squad this week and came out top amongst his team-mates in a number of measures, a hugely-promising sign after months of rehabilitation.

"He got through it well, he was communicating and driving standards really well," Sanderson said. "We don't know how he'll get through the week. This is his first full week training but we'll have a better idea, probably on Thursday, in terms of how his body is feeling.

"I'm surprised how well he's moving. He topped (all the measures). I know it was only one block, but for someone who has been out as long as he has, he's come back in great shape. His ability to back that up is what we question now.

"He moves so well, he talks so passionately, he's a phenomenal athlete and an outstanding player. Providing his fitness is alright, he's not far away."