Over the past couple of years, there has been a concerted effort by private interests within the rugby structure of England and France to wrest control of club rugby from the unions. This has manifested itself in many ways, most notably the attempts to undermine the ERC and one of the jewels of world sport, the Heineken Cup. This competition in its short history has provided the teams and fans of European club rugby with many moments of elation, heartbreak, thrills and glory. Munster's win over Gloucester in the Miracle Match, Leinster's defeat of Northampton in 2011, Ulster's dominant march to the final in 1999, Connacht beating Harlequins and Biarritz in 2012, Aironi's stunning defeat of Biarritz in 2010 and Edinburgh's masterful display against Munster just a month ago and too many more to mention.

All this will be lost if you, the Unions, don't hold the line and stand up for your players, fans and clubs. Much has been made of the future of Pro12 rugby by elements within the PRL and LNR, saying we will disappear into bankruptcy if we don't sign up to their Rugby Champions Cup. They say that without them, we will become non-entities. I would like to remind them that Pro12 supporters are the best in the world, bar none. Without the travelling support of our teams, most of their home games would be very quiet affairs. Without the passion of the supporters from all over Europe, England and France included, the European cup would never have become the greatest club rugby competition in the world. Celtic and Italian rugby will continue, because we, the supporters, arm in arm with our clubs and our Unions, will not let it fall.

Please, do not cave in to the unreasonable demands of the rich patricians of English and French rugby. This is nothing short of a power and money grab.