Third-tier compromise on cards in Euro crisis

Plans are believed to be afoot to launch a third-tier competition comprising low-ranked national teams and club sides in a move that could help solve the European rugby union crisis.

The Six Nations committee looks set to govern the Rugby Champions Cup next season, to replace the Heineken Cup run by European Rugby Cup (ERC). Six Nations bosses would also administrate a second-tier contest to replace the Amlin Challenge Cup.

But under plans being discussed, FIRA-AER, the amateur European rugby association, would govern a new third-tier tournament aimed at developing the game across the continent.