French and English rugby union leaders have agreed on a plan to reform the European Cup which could lead English clubs back into the competition they shunned this season, French sports daily l'Equipe said yesterday.
"We have signed a common document which we will hand over to (European Cup organisers) ERC in the next few days," Patrick Wolf, vice-president of the French rugby union, said.
The agreement came at a meeting in London on Wednesday between French rugby chiefs Bernard Lapasset and Serge Blanco and their English counterparts Brian Baister and Tom Walkinshaw.
"A lot has been achieved today and I'm sure our plan will help English clubs return to the competition," Baister told l'Equipe.
Both sides refused to disclose the details of their plan but English clubs have repeatedly asked for a single competition with France and England both allowed eight teams.
In England's absence, the French were unexpectedly beaten by Ulster in this season's European Cup.
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