Talks on future of Heineken Cup still in deadlock

The Irish Rugby Football Union and the four provinces have admitted their concern and disappointment after the failure of the European Rugby Cup stakeholders to agree a new accord for the Heineken and Amlin Cups at yesterday’s meeting in London.

Ireland was represented by ERC board members Peter Boyle and Philip Browne.

With the English and French representatives sticking to their belief that more of their clubs should be involved in the Heineken Cup with a consequent reduction in those representing Ireland (with Connacht an inevitable casualty), Scotland and Italy, further stalemate was always a possibility.