Heineken Cup door still open to English clubs

England’s clubs could yet be involved in a tournament run by European Rugby Cup next season if they secure the assurances that it will be replaced for 2015-16.

The climbdown comes after the presidents of the French clubs, represented by Ligue Nationale de Rugby, agreed at a meeting at Orly Airport near Paris on Thursday afternoon to commit to the ERC-run format announced by the unions last week.