French clubs call for swift TV rights resolution

France’s Top 14 clubs are demanding a swift resolution to the schism that threatens the future of European rugby.

Negotiations between ERC stakeholders at Tuesday’s meeting in Dublin will be of critical importance after Patrick Wolff, vice-president of the French National Rugby League, revealed the French will demand immediate answers over the TV rights issue.

The divide between warring factions grew on Wednesday when the Aviva Premiership clubs announced they had signed an exclusive live broadcast agreement with BT Vision that effectively spells the end of the Heineken Cup from 2014, with a new tournament to replace it.