Heineken Cup under threat

Top 14 clubs have set the European Rugby Cup a deadline of autumn this year to create a new structure for the Heineken Cup qualification process.

English and French outfits have threatened to form a breakaway tournament unless changes are made, with the duo feeling RaboDirect PRO12 sides are given an unfair qualification advantage.

ERC stakeholders are scheduled to meet in Dublin on September 18 to start negotiations on the format of the competition when the current agreement ends in 2014. But Patrick Wolff, the vice-president of the French National Rugby League, insists he wants a deal in three months.

Read more: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...014900,00.html