English rugby clubs boycott European competitions...
RFU head warns of legal action
English clubs who go ahead with a boycott of next season's European competitions such as the Heineken Cup could face legal action from the Rugby Football Union, RFU chairman Martyn Thomas warned yesterday.
Premier Rugby announced on Monday that English sides would not play in Europe next season because a planned boycott by French clubs would devalue the competition.
Thomas spelled out the consequences of a copycat move.
"I hope the boycott can be averted," he said. "But it could be a situation where rugby has to resort to the courts."
Outlining the RFU's position, Thomas said: "We have a contract which we signed in 2001 and in relation to Europe it is very simple.
"It says the clubs will compete in the European Cup or the European Shield. That lasts until 2007 with the long-form agreement until 2009. So I am at a loss to understand their statement that they believe they can pull out."
Uncertain future
The trouble started in January when France's national league said it was pulling its clubs out of Europe because of a dispute between the RFU and Premier Rugby clubs, saying the row had led to uncertainty over the future of the competitions.
That dispute centres on voting rights and shares in the European Rugby Cup (ERC), with the Premier Rugby clubs wanting the RFU to give them 50 per cent of its stakes and voting rights.
Announcing the boycott, Premier Rugby said: "A European Cup without the French clubs is not a genuine competition and Premier Rugby's clubs have today agreed unanimously not to participate in any such competition without the French next season."