World rugby supremo Bernard Lapasset has warned English and French clubs wishing to form a breakaway European club competition that they do not have the right to impose their will on other leagues reluctant to join.
The 66-year-old Frenchman - president of the International Rugby Board since 2008 - has kept his own counsel while the English and French clubs have tried to persuade their counterparts in Wales, Ireland, Italy and Scotland to leave the European Rugby Cup (ERC), who organise the European Cup and Challenge, and join the planned 20-team Champions Cup from next year.
The Welsh provinces were won over by their arguments and agreed last week to join the Champions Cup, whose inception was first announced to great fanfare by English and French clubs in September.
The English and French - whose federation are not in favour of the breakaway - are unhappy with the qualifying system and also the distribution of revenue from the European Cup.
Only the top six in England and France are guaranteed a place in the European Cup, whereas at least 10 Celtic League sides - including both Scottish, both Italians and a minimum of three each from Wales and Ireland - have a free pass into the competition.
The French and the English are also looking to each receive a third of the revenue, with the Celts and the Italians receiving the other third.
Lapasset, who in his time as president has successfully lobbied to get rugby sevens onto the Olympic Games roster in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, said the French and English clubs had been too intransigent in their stance and aggressive in their approach.
"They have gone too far," said Lapasset, speaking in Paris on the sidelines of the draw for the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup, which is being hosted by France.
"One league does not have the right to lay down the law in rugby. The rugby world must be governed fairly and with respect for others."
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