English RFU retains hope Heineken Cup can be saved

The English Rugby Football Union (RFU) is confident European competition can be salvaged for next season, with chief executive Ian Ritchie warning the alternative would be vastly inferior.

The future of the Heineken Cup is in grave doubt with England’s clubs refusing to participate in a competition run by European Rugby Cup (ERC) and actively pursuing the option of adding Welsh regions to an expanded Aviva Premiership.

Ritchie is optimistic that the obstacles preventing an agreement on a new tournament involving all six competing nations — framework, voting on commercial rights and broadcasting rights — can be overcome.