Reports tonight are suggesting that the Heineken Cup will go ahead next year, only without the participation of any English clubs.
Those reports have been confirmed tonight with a statement from the French, Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Italian rugby unions that they have agreed to press ahead with the Heineken Cup next season, under the auspices of the ERC, with or without involvement from the English clubs.
While English sides received €10 million last year from the ERC (France received €12 million and the IRFU €6.8 million), they have been the forerunners in the clamour for a new competition, the Rugby Champions Cup. Now it appears they are to officially pull the plug on their participation.
“All five Unions believe that it is critical to the interests of the game in Europe that the Unions are at the heart of the governance of cross-border club competitions given that rugby in each country is organised in a pyramidical structure,” the Unions said.
“Clubs, provinces and regional organisations form an integral part of the development of the game throughout this structure, from grassroots to the international game. Cross-border club competitions must not conflict with the development of the sport in Europe by Unions, this being in the best interest of players, spectators and the sport in general.”
The Heineken Cup will survive for at least another season, but English representation is looking most unlikely
