The Guinness Pro12 league has downplayed the possibility of Zebre and Treviso being forced out of the competition after reports that the sides were on the brink of expulsion over an unpaid debt.
The Italian clubs, currently sitting at the bottom of the table, must pay an outstanding €1.5m to the rest of the Pro12 clubs by the end of this month or face immediate expulsion from the competition.
It had been reported that they could face being kicked out of the competition, but a Pro12 spokesman told RTÉ Sport that talks over the debts were ongoing, and the sides were expected to remain part of the competition next season.
“Negotiations with the Italians clubs over a payment schedule are ongoing and should be concluded very shortly," the spokesman said.
“The league don’t expect any change in their participation for next season."
Some of the debt has been paid, and some is outstanding, the spokesman said.
It had also been reported that London Welsh and London Scottish, both due to compete in England’s second-tier Championship next season, were in talks to replace the Italian sides, with discussions on the move at preliminary stages.
However, the Pro12 spokesman denied this claim.
“We’ve had no contact, formal or informal, with London Scottish, London Welsh, London Irish or any club about possible participation," the spokesman said.
Italian clubs (including Aironi), who first joined the league in 2010, have finished in the bottom two every year since, with the exception of Treviso, who recorded a seventh-place finish in 2013.
