The English clubs have garnered the support of French and Italian clubs but will need the support of the sport’s English governing body, the Rugby Football Union. It is support they are unlikely to receive.
Premier Rugby, which represents the clubs, would reportedly like to gain more influence over the cup, especially on the commercial side, because it believes that the Heineken Cup is not maximising its commercial potential. It has said that if the proposals are thrown out, the English clubs will consider withdrawing from the Heineken Cup.
English club sides have pulled out of Europe previously, in the 1998-99 season, protesting at the way the two European tournaments were run. They rejoined a year later, signing the Paris Accord, an eight-year deal that expires in May.
