IT HAS BEEN a long and rocky road as European club rugby has fought over its next forward step, but it finally appears that peace has broken.

While last week brought fresh rumours of a deal having been sealed for the new Rugby Champions Cup, financial and translation concerns from the Italian and French parties put a delay on any formal announcement.

However, it now appears that a meeting in London has seen a legal agreement signed. According to a tweet from French journalist Arnaud David of Sud Ouest, all parties have put pen to paper.

If that is the case, official details of the new competition will be expected to follow swiftly, allowing clubs to focus on the remainder of the current campaign in the knowledge of exactly what they need to do in order to qualify for next season’s competition.

The European Rugby Champions Cup is born. The head of agreement has been signed by all parties today in London — Arnaud David (@ArnaudDavidSO) April 10, 2014 Source: Arnaud David /Twitter

The Heineken Cup has been magical; let’s hope the Rugby Champions Cup can be even better.