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Major progress has today been made towards securing a peace deal that will see the creation of a new six-country European Cup competition for next season.

After months of dispute and disharmony, it now seems a settlement is finally within sight.

Representatives of all six Unions, along with the English and French clubs and the Welsh regions, met in Paris this morning for crucial talks.

And statements issued following the meeting suggest real progress has been made.

Significantly, it appears the English and French clubs - who are quitting the existing Heineken Cup at the end of this season - are ready to come on board with a new 20-team European tournament.

That, in turn, would appear to rule out the possibility of an Anglo-Welsh league being set up, with the Welsh regions continuing in the Pro12, which will have a new merit-based qualification system for Europe.

The Six Nations organisation, which staged the meeting, declared it had been a positive and constructive get-together, with progress being made and all parties working towards a European competition.

And a statement from the Welsh Rugby Union talked of “cautious optimism” and confidence about a positive outcome.

The major stumbling block up to now has been the existence of two conflicting TV deals for European cup rugby.

“The cautious optimism is based on a detailed structure of actions to be pursued immediately.”

Having given two years notice that they - along with the French clubs - were leaving the Heineken Cup, the English clubs sold the rights for their cross-border matches to BT in a multi-million pound deal.

In turn, Heineken Cup organisers ERC signed a new contract extension with existing broadcasters Sky.

This led to an impasse, which saw the English and, initially, the French clubs proposing a new breakaway Rugby Champions Cup.

The Welsh regions in turn gave their support to the RCC and sought WRU approval to join the English in the venture.

That approval was not given, so the regions set about pursuing alternative competition options, which meant joining the Aviva Premiership.

But the preference of the English clubs has always been a European resolution and that now seems to be on the cards.

Getting around the two conflicting TV deals has always been the main hurdle, but there seems to be real hope on that front following behind the scenes meetings and resolving the issue once and for all will be the focus over the next couple of weeks.

It remains to be seen whether it will be Sky or BT broadcasting the new tournament or a mixture of both.

The issues of revenue split, qualification, governance and commercial rights appear to have been largely settled.

There would be a three-way split of revenue between the three competing leagues - Aviva Premiership, French Top 14 and the Pro12.

A new qualification system will be put in place for the competition, which will be made up of 20 sides, four less than the existing 24-team Heineken Cup.

There will be six places each for the English and French clubs, with one additional spot for one of them based on meritocracy.

There would then be seven qualifiers from the Pro12, with each of the four competing countries guaranteed one place and the next three based on positions in the table. It remains to be seen what Italy’s representation in the Pro12 will be, amid speculation Treviso might leave at the end of this season.

As for governance, the indications are the event could be run by the Six Nations organisation rather than ERC, while clubs and regions would have a greater input over commercial aspects of the competition.

That leaves the TV issue and any associated legalities to be resolved, but there does seem real optimism that a deal can be struck after today’s amicable meeting.

There would be a second-tier 20-team tournament below the new European Cup, similar to the current Amlin Challenge Cup.

If settlement is reached, then domestically the focus would switch to the WRU and the four regions ending their ongoing dispute by finalising a new Rugby Services Agreement.

Following today’s meeting, the Six Nations issued the following statement: “A positive meeting took place in Paris today between the Six Nations Unions and Club representatives from LNR, PRL and RRW.

“The meeting was constructive and progress was made, with all parties working towards a European competition.”

A WRU statement followed swiftly, saying: “The Welsh Rugby Union is pleased at the progress made at today’s Six Nations meeting in Paris towards agreement for the European competition structure from next season.

“Representatives of the WRU described the meeting of stakeholder nations and clubs as positive and constructive.

“The WRU continues to remain confident that the progress now achieved could lead to a positive outcome for all stakeholders.

“The WRU delegation at today’s Paris meeting was Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, WRU Chairman, David Pickering and Group Finance Director, Steve Phillips.

“Representatives of the French and English clubs and the Welsh Regions were also in attendance.

“The cautious optimism is based on a detailed structure of actions to be pursued immediately.”