Clubs pullout disgraceful, says Millar

INTERNATIONAL Rugby Board (IRB) chairman, Dr Syd Millar, has described the planned withdrawal of French and English clubs from the Heineken Cup as “absolutely disgraceful and selfish”.

Dr Millar vowed that “the rugby unions of the world will not allow 26 clubs to dictate the course of world rugby” and said “the present situation has brought those unions even closer and made them more determined to preserve the game for the good of all”.

He revealed the IRB would convene a meeting this week with representatives from the European unions involved in the European Rugby Cup (ERC) in an effort to ensure the competition’s future.