Ireland: Dublin summit to confirm five-year Heineken Cup deal
The tawdry political saga which has enveloped the Heineken Cup in recent weeks may reach an improbably promising conclusion if a meeting in Dublin today confirms a new five-year deal, Unison reported May 8.
And the deal which has been brokered will ensure that the tournament continues in its current format - with all the leading English and French clubs participating on the basis of the current qualification system.
As the much-trumpeted English boycott of the competition imploded over the past week, it now remains for the French clubs, led by maverick Serge Blanco, to reverse what he termed last month a "non-reversible" decision to boycott the Cup.
However, a key meeting between Blanco and French Union president Bernard Lapasset has eased the way to a remarkable U-turn, as more and more French clubs have decided to abandon their hard-line stance.
Lapasset has been aware for some time that some French clubs do want to play in the competition despite the fixture chaos caused by next season's World Cup and all that remains is to ensure that the incorrigible Blanco is not publicly embarrassed by any volte face.
The IRFU's decision to publicly welcome signs of a breakthrough was a key indicator that a deal is imminent. Indeed, Welsh chief executive Roger Lewis has bullishly claimed that he will bid for next year's final to be held in the Millennium Stadium, scene of Munster's last season.
"Syd Millar of the International Rugby Board was pivotal, he's knocked a few heads together and got some common sense going, while the Celtic nations have also helped to encourage dialogue," said Lewis of the combined Scottish, Welsh and Irish attempts to bring sense to an at times rancorous dispute.
"The expectation is that we can move forward in the meeting but there's many a slip between cup and lip and a lot more talking to be done. The key thing is that people have sat down and discussed the real issues."
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