Fitzgerald sure of Euro resolution

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald is confident his province will have two meaningful competitions to play in next season, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the futures of both the Heineken Cup and Celtic League.

With clubs from England and Wales wanting to quit the European competition run by ERC at the end of the current accord this summer and French Top 14 clubs only committed to an extra season, the Heineken Cup is on shaky ground. The Celtic League, too, is far from certain of continuing in its present format with the Welsh regions threatening to withdraw, Italy’s Treviso announcing its intention to quit and backers RaboDirect Pro12 ending its title sponsorship of the 12-team competition this summer. But Fitzgerald believes, though negotiations may go to the brink, a resolution will be found.

Speaking before news emerged from Paris yesterday of a positive response by the breakaway clubs, represented by LNR (France), Premiership Rugby Limited (England) and Regional Rugby Wales to proposals put forward by the Six Nations Unions, Fitzgerald said: “Given the nature of rugby business and how close we’ve got to the wire every year with the competitions, I’m always very, very hopeful and I’d be totally positive there’ll be two competitions.