Their domestic season was delayed because of the World Cup causing a scheduling ripple that leaves no room for European club rugby's premier competition.

"We are boycotting next season's European Cup," legendary full-back Serge Blanco told the Daily Mail.

"This is a heart-breaking decision to have to make but we are convinced if we did not do this our domestic championship will be dead by 2009.

"The long-term consequences are very dangerous both for our clubs and for the English clubs. More and more international matches are undermining the domestic competitions in both countries.

"Next season in England 10 of the 22 rounds in the Guinness Premiership will be played on international weekends, which is ridiculous.

"Our championships are losing their value."

Blanco also revealed that the RFUs decision to not split their shareholding in European Rugby Ltd 50-50 with the Premiership clubs has given the English clubs an uncertain future - something they are concerned about in France.

"The RFU agreed to give the English clubs 50 per cent of their shareholding, just as the French Rugby Federation gives 50 per cent of their shareholding to the French clubs... there is too much uncertainty about the future of the English clubs.

"Had they not done so (changed their mind), we would have signed the new agreement for the future of the Heineken Cup."

A formal announcement on the boycott is expected later today.