England's top clubs consider Heineken Cup alternatives England's top clubs are to meet this week to consider their options in the wake of their French counterparts" decision to remain in the Heineken Cup next season. An expanded Premiership, a world club championship and enhanced Anglo-Welsh tournament are among the proposals expected to come under consideration as alternatives. The clubs seem to be united in their stance to remain outside the European Rugby Cup-run tournament despite the setback to their proposed Rugby Champions" Cup after the French Top 14 accepted their union's demand to withdraw their support. Premiership Rugby is still seeking clarification from the French clubs about their proposals for a change in governance for the European tournament for the 2015-16 season before deciding whether there is any hope of participating in the European tournament next season. The Welsh regions are also continuing to discuss their next step this week amid concerns that the European tournament proposed by the five unions, apart from the Rugby Football Union, would leave them unable to compete financially with the leading clubs. It is thought that the new ERC-run 20-team tournament has been valued at £40 million, with the French to receive £20 million and the Rabo-Direct Pro12 clubs to split the remaining £20 million as part of an equal split between the two leagues. That would result in the regions each receiving £1.25 million, whereas they had been guaranteed £2 million in the Rugby Champions" Cup.