The already precarious future of the Heineken Cup as it currently exists was put in jeopardy last night after the Welsh clubs expressed their backing for Anglo-French proposals for a new European competition.
Debate about the future of the Heineken Cup has been ongoing for the last number of weeks after the English and French clubs served notice of their intentions to breakaway and form their own competition due to their discontent with the qualifying system currently in place and the distribution of revenue to the competing teams and nations.
Various negotiations have taken place between the participating parties in the last number of weeks and an ERC meeting is due to take place in Dublin today, although there has been talk of a boycott from the English and French representatives.
The prospect of salvaging the Heineken Cup in its current guise was dealt a further blow last night when the four rugby regions in Wales – Cardiff Blues, Neath Swansea Ospreys, Llanelli Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons – released a statement through Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) expressing their backing for initial proposals for a new European competition put forward by clubs from the Aviva Premiership and Top 14.
"Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) on behalf of the four Welsh regions confirms its full support for the proposed new Rugby Champions Cup Competitions,” read the RRW statement.
"Whilst there remain elements of detail to be confirmed, it is now clear that there are a number of significant advantages to the new competitions in equality of governance, format, qualification and distribution across the individual participating clubs.
"Consequently, RRW looks forward to working with the WRU to support their efforts and positive engagement in striving to ensure our teams are involved in strong, valuable European clubs competitions in time for next season."
There’s a long way to go yet, but with the English, French and now Welsh clubs in favour of change, it would appear as if the end is nigh for the Heineken Cup as we know it.
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