Officials from England and France sold visions of a bright new order, when they took a wrecking ball to the Heineken Cup, writes Brendan O’Brien

We’ve already crossed off 126 games across four countries over the course of 35 weeks. 

In a market that is set to become even more competitive given increased revenues from their domestic and European broadcast deals, the English and French clubs are set to make life a lot more difficult for the Irish provinces.

Saracens were a north London parks team playing in front of the proverbial two men and a dog when Guy Noves began building the Toulouse empire 20 years ago.

Two days of talks ended yesterday in Dublin with the ERC and its six member unions moving halfway towards the rebellious English and French clubs and their demands for a radically altered European club structure.

What a terrible pity Connacht couldn’t come good in that last-ditch siege on the Saracens line in their opening Heineken Cup pool game at the Sportsground last Friday night.

What a terrible pity Connacht couldn’t come good in that last-ditch siege on the Saracens line in their opening Heineken Cup pool game at the Sportsground last Friday night.

THE more I read the protestations of the Anglo-French protagonists from Premier Rugby Limited (PRL) and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), the more my blood boils.

What looks destined to be the 19th and final Heineken Cup will be launched at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium this morning.

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray has vowed that English teams will be prepared to carry out their threat to pull out of the Heineken Cup.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has committed himself to the club for the next two seasons after agreeing a contract extension.

English clubs are instinctively divided, but there is one topic that unites them all; their dislike of Saracens.

Saracens have confirmed first-team coach Andy Farrell has resigned from his post at the club.

Former Australia and Saracens fly-half Michael Lynagh has been released from hospital, two weeks after suffering a stroke.

Toulon are today expected to announce the signing of Gavin Henson after the Wales centre was last night released from his Saracens contract.

Saracens have cleared the way for Gavin Henson to complete a move to Toulon after releasing the Wales centre from his contract.

SARACENS have confirmed plans to stage their Heineken Cup clash with Leinster at Wembley this season.

Leinster will be playing their Heineken Cup Round 2 match against Saracens at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, October 16 (kick off: 5.45pm).

Saracens director of rugby Eddie Jones will step down from his position at the end of the season.

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray has confirmed discussions with a South African company that could see the Guinness Premiership club receive a substantial cash injection.

Rugby Football Union chief executive Francis Baron believes English rugby needs a new structure to end conflict between the clubs and the national side.

Biarritz 43 Saracens 13

Clive Woodward has apologised for his outspoken attack on Zurich Premiership club chiefs during Friday’s press conference when he explained his reasons for resigning as England coach.

BILLIONAIRE investor and philanthropist George Soros stood to land stg£10 million yesterday from his stake in self-storage firm Safestore, which is being taken over in a management buyout.

Twickenham bosses tonight told English rugby union’s Reform Group to leave the running of the game to the professionals.

UNBEATEN Six Nations rivals Ireland and England were last night still in the dark on when their postponed championship clash will take place.

Another club versus country row is looming after Saracens' chairman Nigel Wray said he would not release players for Six Nations internationals in May.