PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CHIEF Mark McCafferty has responded by today’s announcement by French clubs by appearing to join them in rowing back on his previous hardline stance against the ERC.

Earlier today, French clubs voted to commit to next season’s Heineken Cup with a view to allowing more time to implement an overhaul of the competitions in the 2015/16 season.

With English clubs apparently left stranded between their BT backed Rugby Champions Cup project and the existing ERC competitions, the clubs McCafferty represents faced a great deal of uncertainty and that appears to have forced the PRL chief’s hand as he this evening told Press Association he would consider rejoining the existing parties if there was a new organisation in place of ERC.

“If somebody can outline what that transition would entail, how the issues would be overcome and exactly what the new structure in 2015-16 would be, then we could look at it.

“If we can see there is a new structure to replace ERC and we have the detail of that, then something might be feasible. At the moment it’s all very general and difficult to comment on.”

While a reported  €178 million deal has been signed to allow BT Sport broadcast the Rugby Champions Cup, this move from McCafferty would suggest that the contract is not quite as binding as he first suggested.

French clubs agree to take part in Heineken Cup next season