Anglo-French Cup alliance stays intact

Published on 26/10/2012 00:44

Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty believes the alliance between England and France over the future of the Heineken Cup is stronger than ever.

The Aviva Premiership and Top 14 clubs have tabled plans to overhaul the structure of European rugby that are being opposed by the Celtic nations and Italy, who make up the Rabodirect PRO12.

The English and French want to ensure teams from the PRO12 qualify for a 20-team Heineken Cup on merit and for the money to be divided equally between the three leagues.

The French clubs yesterday rejected two different counter proposals tabled by the PRO12 and stood firm on their agreement with Premiership Rugby, who were not invited to the meeting.

“It’s disappointing that European Rugby Cup Ltd chose to stage a meeting in this way,” McCafferty said. “However, everyone is now at least absolutely clear that the French and English clubs have a common vision for the format of European competition for 2014.”

The Rugby Football Union were at the meeting, represented by chief executive Ian Ritchie and professional rugby director Rob Andrew..