Richards calls for change

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England's 12 top-flight clubs have voted to withdraw from Europe's top competition if their French counterparts carry out a threat to boycott the tournament on Thursday.

Former England number eight Richards said: "Things need to move on and we need to take the personalities out. There are big businessmen there who perhaps don't understand rugby or have an empathy for the sport and I think that's where part of the problem lies."

He added: "You need to have people who have empathy for the sport and are reasonable businessmen as well, not one or the other."

The clubs' main concern is the RFU's refusal to hand over their shareholding in the Heineken Cup and Richards understands their position.

"I'm dumbstruck as to why things have gone this far. The clubs just need a share of what is rightfully theirs," he told BBC Sport.

"It's not an RFU competition. It's not the whole of English rugby that's involved, just the Premiership clubs.

"The clubs are happy to work with the union and are asking for a shareholding in the competition. It seems there is some sort of inability to move by certain people involved in the negotiations."

RFU management board chairman Martyn Thomas stressed the clubs are contracted to participate in the Heineken Cup and he confirmed Twickenham would consider legal advice if the boycott did go ahead.

He said: "If PRL and the French clubs do decide to withdraw from the Heineken Cup next year then we will consider our position. The English clubs are legally bound under the 'Long Form Agreement' to play in the next two years of the Heineken Cup."