Millar urges clubs to end boycott

International Rugby Board chairman Dr Syd Millar has urged Guinness Premiership clubs to back out of their European boycott and return to the negotiating table.

Dr Millar is furious at the Anglo-French clubs’ decision not to compete in either the Heineken Cup or European Challenge Cup next season.

In a strongly worded statement supporting the English and French unions, he rebuked the Premiership and Top 14 clubs for their “absolutely disgraceful” actions.

Dr Millar attacked French clubs chief Serge Blanco for his role in the stand-off, accused English elements of trying to “destroy” European Rugby Cup Ltd ERC and vowed the world game would not be held to ransom.

He insisted there is still time for a deal to be struck and the IRB will host a meeting of the six affected unions in Dublin this week.

But it will need the clubs to back down from their militant stance.

“The rugby unions of the world will not allow 26 clubs to dictate the course of world rugby and the present situation has brought those unions even closer and more determined to preserve the game for the good of all,” Dr Millar said.

“Strong clubs are an essential part of a healthy game. However, it is essential that a good relationship exists between union and clubs.

“It is not too late for the Premiership clubs to reverse their decision and have the courage to do so, and to show the rugby world at large they are prepared to work within a system where their voice is heard and has been listened to.

“The IRB is attempting to facilitate a solution and in this instance we still have time to get around the table to find a workable solution.”

The stand-off stems from the Rugby Football Union’s refusal to hand 50 per cent of its share holding and voting rights in ERC to Premier Rugby, the Premiership clubs’ umbrella body.

As a result, the French clubs voted to boycott both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup and the English immediately followed suit.

The effects of any boycott could be severe. The four Welsh regions are set to lose #500,000 each while the Scottish Rugby Union warned their professional game could die without European competition next year.

Dr Millar added: “The decision by the French and English clubs to withdraw from the European Rugby Cup has been described as regrettable, unfortunate and shameful.

“It is more than that. It is absolutely disgraceful and selfish to destroy a tournament which has developed into a hugely successful and special annual rugby event that is vital to the well-being of European Rugby.

“It will have serious consequences for world rugby.”

But the Premiership clubs are unlikely to react favourably to a direct attack on the motivation and ego of the owners.

“I can only assume [Serge Blanco] is being very badly advised or he is being naive and has allowed himself to be used by certain people in England, not just to destabilise ERC, but to support a challenge to the way club rugby is governed through national unions and the International Rugby Board,” he said.

“Remember, this is not the first time the English clubs have sought to destroy the ERC as they removed themselves from the tournament in 1998/99.

“The Premiership clubs in the main are owned by entrepreneurs who are not used to, and do not like, deferring to governing bodies such as the RFU.

“They do not want to have a governing body which controls the game for the good of all and not just for a handful of elite professional clubs.”

Premier Rugby were last night studying Dr Millar’s statement and considering their response.

They argue the RFU have reneged on a deal struck last October over the share holding rights, something Twickenham’s top brass categorically deny.

The RFU admit they would agree to the clubs’ request, but not in isolation.

They want it to form part of a wider-reaching domestic agreement covering international release periods and player welfare.

Blanco, meanwhile, has refused to respond to Millar’s statement.

“I don’t wish to comment at present, I will speak at the appropriate time,” he told L’Equipe newspaper on Tuesday.