The stand-off stems from the RFU’s refusal to hand over 50% of its voting and shareholding rights in ERC to Premier Rugby, the Guinness Premiership clubs’ umbrella body.

The matter will be top of the agenda in Dublin with the six unions – Ireland, England, France, Wales, Scotland and Italy – determined to find a solution.

They also have the support of the International Rugby Board, whose chairman Dr Syd Millar launched an astonishing attack on the Anglo-French clubs.

Unless an agreement can be reached, the cost to the game will be huge and, in the case of professional rugby in cash-strapped Scotland, potentially fatal.

If the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup have to be abandoned for one season, the Celtic unions will lose in the region of £2m (€2.9m) each.

Scottish rugby is already £20m (€29m) in debt and doubts whether it could survive without the ERC cash.

The Anglo-French clubs claim the RFU have reneged on an agreement struck last autumn, something the Twickenham top brass flatly deny.

The language has grown increasingly emotive over the last week as the two sides grew further entrenched.

Last night there appeared to be fresh impetus from the clubs to reach a solution as both Premier Rugby and their counterparts in France responded to the IRB rebuke with positive action.

Despite the vehement criticism, they appreciated Dr Millar’s confirmation that club rugby is integral to the fabric of a successful world game.

He called for rapprochement in order to save both tiers of European rugby – and it may just have worked.

Premier Rugby wrote to Dr Millar requesting a meeting together with Ligue National de Rugby, the RFU and the French union.

“Now is not a time for accusation. It should be a time for urgent discussion on how to resolve differences, and should involve all the parties,” said chief executive Mark McCafferty.

“PRL has made it clear that it supports a new European competition inclusive of all countries and under International Rugby Board governance, which reflects the interests of all parties.

“It is encouraging from yesterday’s statement that the International Rugby Board wants the voice of clubs in all countries to be heard and listened to within the system.

“Therefore, PRL has today written to the chairman of the IRB asking for a meeting together with Ligue National de Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Federation Francaise de Rugby.”

LNR vice-chairman Patrick Wolff said his organisation is also willing to come to the negotiating table.

“It is a big regret that we haven’t been able to come to an agreement,” he said.

“But the French and English clubs are ready to sit down at any table and talk, because the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup is something very important to us.

“The time has come for people to recognise that the English and the French clubs, who provide 75% of the revenue of the competitions, have the right to discuss the problem.

“We have been saying for months and months that we want to be recognised. We are not wanting to take the power away from the unions, just to see that we are being recognised.”