Edinburgh, Glasgow's Heineken Cup Future To Be Discussed At London Meeting

The involvement of Edinburgh and Glasgow rugby clubs in future Heineken Cups is "due to go under the microscope" in London, according to Bill Lothian of the SCOTSMAN. Another meeting of the tournament board has been convened and will "discuss proposals for a revamped competition including one put forward by England and France" that requires the Celtic contingent to pre-qualify through its domestic league. It is a suggestion that has been "vehemently rejected" by the Celts which, in turn, have called for a tournament that would be expanded from 24 to 32 teams. However, the English and French, which have to battle through their own leagues for qualification -- and whose results in Europe this season are "vastly superior to all except the Irish" -- are threatening to walk away (SCOTSMAN, 12/12).