The European Rugby Cup Board accepted the WRU proposal that five teams will take part in ERC tournaments in the 2003/04 season. (Wednesday 2 April)
ERC said they recognised there were many details to be resolved, such as tournament participation and shareholding commitments.
‘The Board consider these to be a matter of absolute urgency in order to address the needs of the tournaments going forward,’ a spokesman said.
‘On that basis, the ERC Board has agreed to meet again next Tuesday (April 8) to resolve these issues.’
WRU Group Chief Executive David Moffett said: ‘It’s great news that the ERC have accepted the new structure in Welsh rugby, which is a big step forward.
‘We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us. I’ve got a team here meeting today to discuss different issues, and I’ve got lawyers preparing a contract between us and the five Newcos.’