Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty wants England’s alternative plans to the European Cup to be drawn up as quickly as possible.
England’s clubs have confirmed they will not take part in European competition next season after reiterating their refusal to participate in a competition run by European Rugby Cup.
The decison leaves nine weekends to fill.
McCafferty insists the Premiership clubs, armed with their lucrative broadcasting deal with BT Sport, are seeking a permanent rather than stop-gap solution.
“We have a busy six or seven weeks ahead of us and we’ll probably call the clubs back in mid-January to take the next phase of decisions,” he said.
McCafferty refused to detail the options but an expanded Premiership that includes Championship or Welsh sides, or a competition involving South African provinces, are possibilities.
The development will be viewed by England head coach Stuart Lancaster as the worst-case scenario as it is inconceivable that any replacement will match the intensity of the European Cup just months before the 2015 World Cup begins.
English rugby seeking new competition
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