D-Day for European boycott

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An airport hotel south of the French capital is the venue for a late afternoon press conference, at which Ligue Nationale de Rugby - umbrella organisation of the leading French clubs - should activate its threat made in January to withdraw from Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup tournaments in 2007/08.

Premier Rugby, LNR's English equivalent, has already voted unanimously to support the French by walking out alongside them.

It would leave European Rugby Cup Limited, the competition organisers, with the prospect of also losing broadcasters and sponsors. Remaining competing nations Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy, meanwhile, would undoubtedly suffer acute financial fallout.

The main problem revolves around Premier Rugby's issue with the Rugby Football Union regarding shareholding on European Rugby Cup Limited.

English and French clubs believe an agreement had been reached to resolve the matter last October, but the RFU disputes this, which has prompted a powerful Anglo-French alliance.

However, fixture congestion in France caused by next season's World Cup - and a perceived undermining of the Top 14 French league - is thought to be the real reason behind French clubs' militant stance.

Although the RFU has no doubt top English sides are contracted to play in Europe until 2009, legal action is unlikely in the event of a withdrawal.

But lawyers can expect to become involved if the clubs make moves to organise Anglo-French fixtures unsanctioned by the RFU and International Rugby Board next term.

"It is a real shame from a sporting point of view that we cannot come to an agreement," ERC president Jean-Pierre Lux told L'Equipe.