Heineken future under discussion

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

English and French clubs are refusing to participate in any European competition next season in a row with the Rugby Football Union.

The stand-off stems from the RFU's refusal to hand over 50% of its voting and shareholding rights in ERC to Premier Rugby, the Guinness Premiership clubs' umbrella body. The matter will be top of the agenda in Dublin with the six unions - England, France, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy - determined to find a solution.

They also have the support of the International Rugby Board, whose chairman Dr Syd Millar launched an astonishing attack on the Anglo-French clubs.

Unless an agreement can be reached, the cost to the game will be huge and, in the case of professional rugby in cash-strapped Scotland, potentially fatal.

If the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup have to be abandoned for one season, the Celtic unions will lose in the region of £2million each.

Scottish rugby is already £20million in debt and doubts whether it could survive without the ERC cash.

The Anglo-French clubs claim the RFU have reneged on an agreement struck last autumn, something the Twickenham top brass flatly deny.

The language has grown increasingly emotive over the last week as the two sides grew further entrenched.

But on Tuesday night there appeared to be fresh impetus from the clubs to reach a solution as both Premier Rugby and their counterparts in France responded to the IRB rebuke with positive action.