Hopley calls for solution

The Professional Rugby Players' Association have reacted angrily to the ongoing row which forced the Anglo-French boycott of next season's Heineken Cup.

The 12 Guinness Premiership clubs and the French Top 14 voted not to participate in any European competition next season in a row with the Rugby Football Union over shareholding and voting rights.

But PRA chief executive Damian Hopley said: "The endless club v country battle is doing material damage to the sport and the players are now calling on both Premier Rugby (the clubs' umbrella body) and the RFU to stop these public disputes and find a lasting solution, in conjunction with the PRA."

He added: "Given the direct financial implications of these latest developments to the club game, we believe that all stakeholders should be able to directly influence the competitions in which they participate, but this must be done as part of a solution that addresses the player welfare and international release issues.

"It is time for both parties to take a leap of faith, get round the table and stop the public slanging matches. The patience of both the rugby players and the rugby fans is wearing extremely thin.

"The PRA are offering to facilitate a meeting with both parties at a neutral venue in order to agree a workable solution.

"The players all want to play in a tournament that rated so highly in the Ipsos Mori survey and the PRA believe by acting as the voice of reason it would help establish a sustainable future for the game."