Leinster may not have to depend on Munster to earn a place in next season's European Cup. The accepted premise was that only the top two Irish provinces in the inter-provincial championship would be guaranteed a place in next season's competition. However, if Munster reach the semi-finals then Ireland would be granted a third place.
There may be an alternative route for Leinster. There is a growing consensus among the competing teams and more importantly sponsors and television broadcasters that far from reducing the competition to 20 teams from 24 - an agreement known as the Paris Accord demanded by the English clubs on their return to Europe - for next season it should be expanded to 30.
The proposal is that there would be five groups of six teams, guaranteeing a minimum of 10 and potentially 13 matches. This should appeal to the IRFU who are looking for a fuller representative programme. It would also reduce the need for a Celtic/British/Franco-Italian league.
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