Blanco backs Premiership stance

French club rugby boss Serge Blanco has applauded the decision by England’s Guinness Premiership clubs to pull out of next season’s Heineken Cup if French teams press ahead with their expected boycott of the tournament.

Premier Rugby, the umbrella organisation of the 12 English top-flight teams, yesterday confirmed the clubs had voted unanimously to withdraw in the event of a French boycott, insisting a European Cup without leading French clubs is “not a genuine competition”.