Syd Millar, president of rugby union's world governing body the IRB is to meet with the heads of English Premiership clubs next Saturday to try and save next season's European Cup it was announced on Monday.
The former Ireland rugby great announced this after meeting with representatives of the French clubs, who along with their English counterpart are intent on boycotting the competition next season ostensibly because the English want to become shareholders in the tournament.
The French, though, while claiming they are boycotting the European Cup as they support the English stance are believed to be more anxious over a fixture congestion following the World Cup which France are hosting in September and October.
Despite an offer from the IRB that they could play their national championships during the global showpiece - which they normally do not sanction - the French turned it down because the broadcaster with the rights to the domestic competition didn't want that to happen as it would be missing a lot of its major stars.
'We talked about all the relevant matters,' said Bernard Lapasset, president of the French Rugby Federation following the meeting between him, Millar and Serge Blanco, president of the National Rugby League.
'We are going to make no comment before Syd Millar meets with the English on Saturday.'
Blanco had been subjected to a furious blast from Millar a couple of weeks ago about his leading the boycott, with the former France rugby legend firing back saying that the outburst was not worthy of a man in Millar's position.
