Niall slams Euro begrudgers

English and French clubs should learn from Ireland’s Heineken Cup success and not use it as a pretext for opting out of the competition, according to Munster team manager, Niall O’Donovan.

The former Ireland assistant coach, now part of Rob Penney’s new management team in the province, was reacting to growing threats by the English and French leagues to boycott the Heineken Cup over the perceived lack of a level playing field in Europe’s premier club competition.

England’s Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty said last week that tournament organiser ERC had been put on two years’ notice of the two countries’ clubs’ intention to quit the competition unless automatic qualification for the Celtic nations was removed.