European disharmony is finally coming to an end

This weekend has seen the resumption of Heineken Cup rugby.

There are no Welsh, Scottish or Italian clubs to be seen in the knock-out stages of the competition.

So it is hardly surprising that it is the English and French who have been driving the changes in this competition.

The delays in an announcement about the format of the new European rugby competition are yet another indicator that the negotiations have been tense and fraught.

At the heart of these discussions is qualification, and the division of TV rights income.

What is sure is that qualification will not be automatic next year.

Only the top teams in each of the leagues will earn a place in the groups, which are likely to be cut from 24 teams to 20.

There will be one Scottish team in those groups, at least. And if Edinburgh can force themselves into the top six of the Rabo Direct League, then there will be two assuming, of course, that Glasgow are there themselves.

This need to qualify for the premier European competition should bring a much higher level of intensity to the Rabo Direct League, as with qualification will come money.

It is an ‘edge’ that has been lacking, and the absence of on-going television coverage of this league other than on BBC Alba or the Welsh language channel simply reinforces the fact that this league isn’t as highly regarded as the English Premiership, or the French Top 14.

This latter league has just secured new TV rights in France worth an additional 45 million Euros.

Hopefully this can be put right and Rabo Direct League matches can earn a more regular ‘slot’ in the television rankings.

So the long tale of disharmony in Europe is about to come to an end.

The premier European competition, whatever it may be called, will be a true representation of the best in Europe and that is how it should be.

The second tier competition will also get a boost as it, too, will be more intense and competitive because it will contain the best of the rest.

Both should raise the standards of Scottish rugby in turn.

The big challenge for Scotland is, therefore, to raise the standards at the next level down.