English clubs announce Euro snub threat

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Premier Rugby - umbrella organisation for the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs - say they remain committed to a European competition involving all current participants.

But the likely absence of leading French teams next term has left Premier Rugby describing any European tournament as "not a genuine European competition".

On Sunday England booked a record three Heineken Cup semi-final places but there is now the extreme likelihood of European heavyweights like Leicester and Wasps not being involved next term.

And it would effectively leave tournament organisers with an impossible task trying to organise Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup competitions without top English or French representation.

A statement issued by Premier Rugby read: "The clubs remain committed to European competition involving all the current participants.

"However, a European Cup without the leading French clubs is not a genuine European competition, and Premier Rugby's clubs have agreed unanimously not to participate in any such competition without the French next season.

"However, on behalf of its clubs, Premier Rugby will continue to work strenuously over the next few weeks with all existing partners to find a solution leading to a genuine European competition."