The Premiership clubs have been dealt a huge blow in their quest for a new European competition as the French clubs today agreed to stay in the Heineken Cup for another season.
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The Ligue Nationale de Rugby, the body in charge of the Top 14 clubs, and representatives from the teams in France’s top flight met on Thursday and issued a statement confirming their intention to stay in the Heineken Cup next term.
It was reported the French Federation was ready to offer €2m to each club deciding to stay in the current Heineken Cup rather than go ahead with the proposed Champions Cup.
It remains to be seen what Premiership Rugby’s reaction will be although the French teams are said to be hopeful of persuading the Premiership clubs to play in next season’s Heineken Cup.
However, any possible participation in the Heineken Cup from the English clubs may be blocked by their broadcasting deal with BT Sport.