Hill hoping for cup resolution

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Hill certainly hopes there will be some form of European Cup next season after his side secured a place in the competition with a 22-17 victory over Worcester and he welcomes the mediator role being undertaken by the Professional Rugby Players Association (PRA) though the former England skipper is not so confident that the French clubs can be brought back in to the fold.

"I've got great faith that somebody will sort something out and that in the end the two parties will agree that the Heineken Cup has to take place," Hill said. "It may be irreversible as far as the French are concerned."

He added: "I am reasonably confident that the clubs will come to a good compromise with the RFU, I hope so now that the PRA are mediating and that sense will prevail.

"I am reasonably positive that will sort itself out. Damian Hopley at the PRA is well respected has to be in there to mediate and I think that is a sensible way forward.

"It would be extremely disappointing for the Bristol players though we haven't though much about it yet as until now it hadn't been guaranteed that we'd be playing in the Cup.

"It was going to be one of our objectives for next season to qualify for the European Cup."