Italian clubs Treviso and Zebre "could be expelled from the Pro12, with London Welsh and London Scottish potentially taking their places," according to the BBC. The two sides "have until the end of May" to pay €1.5M ($1.6M) owed to the rest of the Pro12 clubs or face immediate expulsion. Treviso, Zebre and London Welsh "have declined to comment." Discussions remain at a preliminary stage, though London Scottish has said that it is "interested in a move from the English Championship." Chair David Reid said last year that his club was "open-minded" (BBC, 5/11). The BBC reported Italian Rugby Federation President Alfredo Gavazzi claimed that Treviso and Zebre "will not be expelled from the Pro12." He said he has proposed a "mediation" plan to the Irish, Scottish and Welsh unions over €1.5M owed to the rest of the Pro12 clubs. Gavazzi: "I 100% exclude any kind of expulsion as we're equal partners and there are contracts in place. I met the other unions' CEOs on 28 April, and I presented them my mediation proposal. I think it's a good one. We will have an answer over the next few days" (BBC, 5/11).
