This announcement now delivers certainty to all the stakeholder teams for the competition structure they will be taking part in from season 2014/15.
The confirmation that the Pro 12 retains a crucial qualifying role, now linked to meritocracy, is a welcome reassurance for the future success of the professional league structure which our four Regions are part of.
WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “I am delighted that from today we can all move forward with a clear and agreed structure in place for European competition from next season.
“Everyone involved in the game, from players through to supporters and sponsors, can start to plan in earnest for the future. There have been many difficult issues to overcome to reach this stage, but the WRU has remained confident that a resolution would be found and today’s unanimous confirmation is clearly good for our game.
“A lot of work still lies ahead but everyone involved with Welsh rugby can be assured that we will remain focused and determined to achieve our goals.”
WRU Chairman, David Pickering, added: “This is an extremely important landmark which secures the future of a strong and vibrant European competition structure.
“Everyone involved has worked incredibly hard to reach this point and it is in all our interests that we can now go forward together on this issue.
“I am particularly pleased that our four Welsh Regions can now plan in earnest for their campaigns for next season and the seasons beyond that.”
