A world club championship is on the cards after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Premiership chief executive Mark McCafferty has claimed.

Daily Mail, UK – Rob Wildman

But the plan, which would match the best of Europe against the top teams from the southern hemisphere, faces a number of hurdles.

McCafferty explained: ‘It won’t happen before the World Cup but it might happen after 2015. It is a matter of the stars coming into alignment to make something possible.

‘The national championship is something to treasure and Europe is very successful. Ideally, we would like to bolt on top of that an international club event, something that answers the question, “Who is top dog?”

‘Is it the Crusaders? Is it the Bulls? Is it Toulouse, Leinster or Saracens? That would be such a compelling event that sooner or later it will have to happen.

‘Season structure is the biggest issue. We have had plenty of indications from our partners and from a TV point of view it would work.