The Welsh Rugby Union has welcomed the decision of ERC shareholders to go ahead with a European club rugby tournament next season.

It is likely to be without the big guns of English and French rugby, who have boycotted the event, and it is as yet unclear if all four Welsh regions will get automatic inclusion.

Roger Lewis, WRU Group Chief Executive and ERC Board Director, said: "This is a significant step forward from the gloomy picture that we faced last week with the announcement that the French and English clubs will boycott next season's Heineken Cup.

"It was vitally important for the players, coaches and fans to know that there will be a European competition next season. That is the starting point for us all, as is the fact that each of the six participating Unions has agreed to enter teams.

"What will follow is the fine detail, but the Welsh regions can look forward to playing European rugby next season.

"We have been here before in Europe. There were only teams from four nations in the first year and we had to live without the English clubs in the 1998 / 1999 season. But the show went on - and the Heineken Cup has grown in stature year on year as a result.

"Last week we made contingency plans to ease the financial pain our regions would feel if there were no European tournaments. Now they can look forward to a much brighter financial picture next season - thanks to today's declaration.

"As a Union we will continue to discuss, in conjunction with our regions, every possible way to maintain the highest standard of European competitions.

"Ideally we would like the Guinness Premiership and French Championship clubs to remain in the fold and the door remains open for that possibility.

"However, there is now a clear mandate for a European competition to take place next season and we will work as hard as possible to ensure it is a success."