Welsh Rugby Clubs back Anglo-French move

This season’s Heineken Cup now looks as if it could be the last, after the four Welsh regions in the competition gave their backing to the Anglo-French breakaway tournament that aims to start next year.

Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons released a statement via umbrella body, Regional Rugby Wales (RRW).

RRW says some new tournament details need finalising, but added: "It is now clear there are a number of significant advantages to the new competitions."

The Welsh Rugby Union say they are unable to comment at this stage.

Europe's top teams currently compete in the Heineken Cup or second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup.

ERC meets on Wednesday to hear the view of the appointed mediator in the dispute, Canadian Graeme Mew.

Neither Premier Rugby nor the Ligue Nationale de Rugby will be present at those talks having signalled their intention to withdraw from ERC controlled competitions from next season to play in their own Rugby Champions’ Cup.

The English and French leagues announced last year that they planned to withdraw from the Heineken Cup and second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup after making no headway in negotiations with the Celtic unions over qualification criteria and income distribution.

The Welsh Rugby Union, like its Irish counterpart, has previous voiced support for the Heineken Cup but nobody from the organisation was available for comment on Tuesday


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