Six hours of talks took place yesterday on the future of the Heineken Cup but no resolution was found to the impasse involving English clubs demands for restructuring or the signing of a TV deal that threatens the continuance of the tournament.
The different parties will now meet again in Dublin on October 30th.
The English Rugby Football Union did back the clubs claim for reform though. “Our view is very clear, we want a highly-competitive, meritocratic competition,” said Chief Executive Ian Ritchie.
He also said that no formal approval of the TV deal with BT Vision, which is required under the national and international rules of the sport, had been sought or yet offered.  Indications were though that discussions were taking place and that an agreement could be reached without the need to go down the legal route.
The decision on whether or in what format the Heineken and Amlin Cups will continue is becoming more pressing.  An expected announcement that Rome would host the 2015 Finals was postponed yesterday adding to the prospect that Dublin next May and France the following year may yet be the final editions of the competition that has shaped the era of professional club rugby.
A deficit in club infrastructure in England was highlighted yesterday Twickenham and Kingsholm were the only two specific rugby venues in England that made it onto the list alongside no fewer than 12 soccer stadia including Old Trafford, Villa Park, the Stadium of Light and Elland Road.
The biggest surprise was the omission of Welford Road in Leicester and the inclusion of the soccer stadium in the same city.  There was no place either for the Madjeski Stadium in Reading where London Irish play their home matches.
This long list will be whittled down to a short list of 12 after the pool stage draw to take place in December.
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