Premiership Confirms Heineken Cup Exit

Today the Aviva Premiership has announced that they plan to leave the Heineken Cup competition. It is the belief that the termination of the contract will be due to issues relating to the cutting of competition size and issues relating to 'qualification, competition formats and marketing'

Despite the decision we do expect the European Cup to exist in some format following the 2013/14 season with a similar make up to how it exists currently with a deal to be met between the ERC and governing bodies of both French and English rugby in the coming weeks and months.

Full Statement 

' Following recent media interest, Premiership Rugby confirms that it has given notice, effective 1stJune 2012, under the terms of the European Rugby Cup (ERC) Accord and understands that notice has also been served by other parties to the Accord. Such notice period expires at the end of the 2013/2014 tournament at which time, therefore, the Accord will terminate.

"We hope that there will now be an urgent dialogue about the future of European cup rugby, including qualification, competition formats and ambition to expand into new markets," said Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty.'' '