Welsh bombshell ups ante in Dublin

Summit talks to try and reach a new agreement on the future of the Heineken Cup were set to continue in Dublin today as stakeholders in the European competition digested the implications of the Welsh regions backing the proposed breakaway Rugby Champions Cup.

Regional Rugby Wales, the umbrella body representing Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets, on Tuesday pledged “full support” to the proposals for a pan-European alternative to the Heineken Cup put forward by clubs from England and France.

The Anglo-French axis, fronted by Premiership Rugby and Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), have served notice they will quit the European Rugby Cup (ERC)-organised Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions after this season, citing dissatisfaction with what they see as an uneven distribution of revenues and an unfair qualification process from the Rabo-Direct Pro12.

The decision by the Welsh regions to break ranks from their Celtic and Italian colleagues in the Pro12 and join the rebels increased the sense of urgency in Dublin yesterday as the six unions sat down with ERC in a meeting steered by independent Canadian mediator Graeme Mew.

The LNR and Premiership Rugby, as expected, did not take up their invitation to the talks although it is understood there is an ongoing dialogue behind the scenes between the warring factions and the breakaway groups have issued invitations not just to the Welsh but to teams from Ireland, Italy and Scotland to sign up to the Rugby Champions Cup for next season, the deadline for which is understood to be a week today (October 31).

There were no public statements emerging last night from those inside the talks, but Munster head coach Rob Penney yesterday said that despite any competition the Irish provinces entered needing the IRFU’s sanction, he could not imagine them being “left out in the cold” next season.

Calling the Welsh move to support Rugby Champions Cup “a pretty big statement”, Penney was asked about the dangers of the Irish being left behind and not having any European tournament to play in next season.

“It’s important to European rugby to have a collective competition that embraces everybody and I can’t see the Irish people getting left out in the cold,” Penney said.

“It would be detrimental to Ireland but it’s certainly detrimental to any competition because the Irish clubs have done so well in all those competitions.

“I’m sure the Irish delegates are working really hard behind the scenes to ensure everyone gets out of it what they need.”