At present, the three Celtic nations have 10 sides in the Heineken Cup - five from Wales, three from Ireland and two from Scotland. That is 10 out of 24 teams. England and France each have six teams, and Italy two.

The success of the Welsh sides in the Celtic League is of concern to the Irish and the Scots. In the top five in the league, four are Welsh sides, with Ulster top. Munster are sixth, a point ahead of the fifth Welsh side, the Neath-Swansea Ospreys, who are having a good trot.

The Scottish sides are ninth, 11th and 12th.

Ireland are the only country who allow the same teams - Munster, Leinster and Ulster - to play in the Heineken Cup, regardless of how well Connacht perform. Wales, Scotland, England, Italy and France have a qualification process and no teams are guaranteed a place in the Heineken Cup.

A guaranteed three Irish teams would guarantee Munster, Leinster and Ulster a place in the Heineken Cup however poorly they perform.

Last season, the Celtic League was divided into two pools, with the Welsh teams in the last three places in Pool A and the last two places in Pool B.

The regional teams have changed all that, and the Scots and the Irish want to change away from this season’s consolidated league with home and away fixtures.

Wales’s CEO, Australian David Moffett insists that the attunement in its present form will run for another two seasons.

He said: "We will have two years with the same format. We have agreed a contract with the BBC and we will honour it.

"After that two years, the format is obviously up for discussion. But I do think it is short-sighted to talk about changing a tournament which has just started. It represents a vital role for the Celtic Nations, in order for us to develop and bridge the gap between us and the top five rugby nations. It also gives an opportunity to attract sponsorship and that is vital because all three countries are not flush with cash.

"There is no surprise that England is doing well and there are two reasons for that. The Zurich Premiership is tough week-in, week-out and they play the southern hemisphere more times than any other nation. I do believe the Celtic League is absolutely central to any success for the three Celtic nations."

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