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Wales, who launched their five-region domestic format last summer, were allowed all five to participate in this season's Heineken Cup. But the WRU confirmed they would then fall in line with the ERC format by which the six stakeholder nations - England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales - each have at least one team in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup tournament.
With Wales joining Ireland and Scotland in being able to provide just one side for the Parker Pen Challenge Cup tournament, and Italy failing to earn a meritocracy Heineken Cup place, it is left to a straight battle between England and France to have a seventh team in next season's Heineken Cup.
And it is going down to the wire - the Heineken Cup final between London Wasps and Toulouse at Twickenham on Sunday, 23 May - to determine which club lifts the coveted trophy and claims that seventh place for their country.
The allocation of the initial 23 places for the 10th season of the Heineken Cup are:
ENGLAND and FRANCE - six (6) teams each (including one meritocracy place each)
WALES - four (4) teams
IRELAND - three (3) teams (including one meritocracy place)ITALY and SCOTLAND - two (2) teams each
Ireland have nominated their teams based on performances in the 2003 / 2004 ERC tournaments. The Welsh and Scottish Heineken Cup 2004 / 2005 participants and seedings will be determined on finishing positions in the Celtic League. The current standings and points earned after 20 rounds of the 22-match Celtic League schedule are:
WALES (current league position in brackets)
QUALIFIED (Seedings TBC): Llanelli Scarlets, The Dragons
(4) Celtic Warriors - 57 points
(5). Neath-Swansea Ospreys - 52 points
(6). Cardiff Blues - 48 points
SCOTLAND
QUALIFIED: 1) Edinburgh Rugby
(11). Glasgow Rugby - 26 points
(12). The Borders - 22 points
IRELAND
QUALIFIED: 1) Munster, 2) Leinster Lions, 3) Ulster
ENGLAND
QUALIFIED (seedings TBC): Bath Rugby, London Wasps, Newcastle Falcons
1. Zurich Premiership Final winner
2. Zurich Premiership Finalist
3. Zurich Premiership semi-finalist
4. Parker Pen Challenge Cup Winner
5. Wildcard Winner
6. Powergen Cup Winner (Newcastle Falcons)
If London Wasps win the Heineken Cup they would take top seed and all others would drop down. If there are multiple qualifications then it goes to Premiership fourth, fifth etc.
Wildcard is determined by the four highest premiership clubs who have not automatically qualified for the Heineken Cup by the end of the normal season (8th May).
FRANCE
QUALIFIED (Seeding TBC): Castres Olympique
1. French Championship winners
2. French Championship runners-up
3. Heineken Cup winners
4. Parker Pen Challenge Cup winners
5. Challenge Sud Radio winners (Castres Olympique)
6. Best losing French Championship semi-finalist
If there are multiple qualifications and/or no ERC tournament winners then the other French Championship semi-finalist, followed by the club with the highest French championship ranking, will qualify.
ITALY
1. Italian Championship winners
2. Italian Championship runners-up
