The Heineken Cup: Europe's top club rugby triophy
Premiership Rugby has announced it is to set up a new European competition for next season called the Rugby Champions Cup.
The English and French clubs have been threatening to break away from the Heineken Cup - organised by ERC - for some time.
The English and French clubs want a different structure to the competition, insisting all teams - not just the Premiership and Top 14 clubs - should have to qualify to play in the top European competition.
Currently all 12 Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Italian teams in the RoboDirect PRO12 automatically qualify for the Heineken Cup.
The Aviva Premiership teams and Top 14 teams say the Welsh, Scottish, Irish and Italians will all be invited to enter the new competition.
A Premiership Rugby statement said: "The competition will be based on the principles of qualification on merit, a strong competition format, equality between the leagues, higher commercial values for the teams and expansion into new European markets.
"The Top 14 and Premiership Rugby clubs have already confirmed their participation in the new competition and a joint working group has been created to prepare all necessary elements in good time for the 2014/15 season."
More to follow... Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12331/8935669/english-and-french-clubs-confirm-exit-from-heineken-cup
