England RFU chiefs urge French to consider Europe alternatives

ENGLAND Rugby Football (RFU) Union chiefs have urged their French counterparts to nominate alternative entrants for next year’s two European competitions if a proposed boycott goes ahead.

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) announced two months ago that all 14 French first division clubs would not participate in either the Heineken Cup or European Challenge Cup next season.

And they pointed the finger of blame at the RFU over their refusal to hand over share and voting rights in European Rugby Cup Limited to leading English clubs.

LNR claimed Twickenham were delaying the signing of a new tournament agreement as a result, although fixture congestion in France next term caused by the World Cup is seen by many as the major reason for a planned mass withdrawal.

The RFU management board has now rejected LNR’s latest proposal regarding English shareholding in ERC, claiming it did not provide a solution to current difficulties.

And RFU chairman Martyn Thomas also publicly criticised LNR, claiming it was “wholly inappropriate” for them to want an involvement in talks between Twickenham and Premier Rugby.

Thomas said: “Our agreement with PRL (Premier Rugby Ltd) still has two years to run, and under that agreement they have committed to participation in ERC competitions.

“We have been in negotiation with PRL for some months on a new, comprehensive long-term package for professional rugby and have reached heads of agreement stage. It is wholly inappropriate for LNR to be seeking a voice in these negotiations.

“We wait to hear from LNR if they are going to participate in next year’s ERC competitions.

“If they do not compete, we are looking to the FFR (Federation Francaise de Rugby) to nominate other French teams to participate.”

Thomas added that a “very constructive meeting” took place yesterday between himself, RFU chief executive Francis Baron, RFU International Rugby Board representatives Bill Beaumont and Jonathan Dance, French Federation president Bernard Lapasset and vice-president Pierre Camou.

If French clubs carry out their withdrawal threat, it is conceivable the Heineken Cup and Challenge Cup could be slashed to 16-team competitions next season.