‘Heineken Cup will be safe,’ says French chief

A top French rugby official insists he has no concerns about the future of the Heineken Cup.

Talks between the participating nations have stalled but Paul Goze, President of France’s domestic league, is confident a solution will quickly be found to the impasse.

“In the negotiations for the European Cups, there are always difficult moments and barriers,” the National Rugby League (LNR) boss said last night.

“However everybody in European rugby, the Scottish, Irish, Welsh, English, Italians and us (French) need the European Cups. We cannot foresee that these barriers will continue.

“The negotiations will be difficult as always but I am not worried about the long-term outcome.

“All parties will be able to agree before the deadline to ensure that after 2014 the competition will continue to be one of rugby’s forces.”

The latest meeting between the stakeholders in European rugby ended in an impasse as neither camp were able to concede ground in the long-running row.