England's 12 rugby union premier league clubs have announced that they will not compete in next season's European Cup and European Conference competitions in protest at the structure of the playing season.

The announcement was made after a meeting of the clubs to discuss the structure of the season, which involves an almost total shutdown of domestic rugby for four weeks in October and November to play the European games.

English clubs claim that means they miss out on much-needed revenue and also lose the chance to build up a regular following.

The RFU chairman Cliff Brittle hopes to reverse the decision

The clubs say they are not against the concept of the European competition but want to see it spread more evenly through the season.

A statement was issued saying:

"European rugby was felt to be hugely important for the future of the game but the existing structure often worked to the detriment of domestic league rugby.

"It was therefore decided not to participate in the existing competitions in order to create a better structure."

But the chairman of the Rugby Football Union, Cliff Brittle, has promised to try to get the clubs to change their minds.

"I hope that our clubs will remain in European competition," he said. "I will be having extended talks with the representatives of the Premiership One teams in the next few days."

The England captain, Lawrence Dallaglio, was also not happy to be told that Wasps would not be playing in Europe next season.

"It will be extremely disappointing if we cannot play in Europe next season because we've enjoyed playing against new opposition in the last couple of seasons, but I know that the clubs are working for the game's future," he said.

The European Cup is in its third year and holders Brive will attempt to become the third successive French winner when they play England's Bath in this season's final in Bordeaux at the end of January.
 

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