Rugby Union: French Clubs to Limit Their Involvement in Europe

French clubs want to reduce their participation in the Heineken Cup to four teams and pull out of the European Challenge Cup completely. They are concerned that only their big four, Stade Français, Toulouse, Biarritz and Clermont Auvergne have the financial and playing resources to compete in Europe and the demanding 14-strong first division in France.

Clubs such as Bourgoin have in recent years fielded weakened teams in the Heineken Cup, preferring to rest players for league matches. They received a warning from European Rugby Cup Ltd but argued that they did not have enough strength to fight on two fronts. The recent dispute showed the French value their league more highly than they do Europe.

English Premiership clubs, in contrast, would like all their 12 members in the Heineken Cup. The French last month agreed to commit themselves to the Heineken Cup for the next seven years after threatening to boycott the event, but their desire to limit their involvement has led the organizers to begin a 12-month review of the tournament.

The Challenge Cup faces an uncertain future. It is commercially unsuccessful anyway and would not survive the French pulling out. If only four teams from France took part in the Heineken Cup, it could hit ERC's revenue with French television likely to seek a renewal of its contract.

The ERC board met this week to sign a new participation agreement for the tournament only to find that the paperwork was not ready. They will meet again next month when a five-year agreement will be signed. Unlike the previous one, which was fixed for eight years, the new deal will roll on with teams or countries having to give notice of two years before withdrawing, but no one will be able to give notice until the five years are up.

Meanwhile, Adam Jones has withdrawn from the Wales side to face Australia in Brisbane tomorrow after injuring his calf. Ceri Jones, normally a loose-head, will take his place at tight-head and the Worcester tight-head Chris Horsman will sit on the bench. Jones for Jones is one of five changes from the team that narrowly lost in Sydney last weekend. Michael Owen and Mefin Davies return to the pack while the captain Gareth Thomas moves to full-back in place of Lee Byrne. Aled Brew will make his full debut on the wing.

France have turned to three England-based veterans for their Test against New Zealand in Auckland tomorrow, Thomas Castaignède, Christian Califano and Olivier Magne. Bath have signed the Cheetahs and South Africa scrum-half Michael Claassens on a two-year contract.