The competition will include clubs from all six current participating nations - England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.

There are no details as yet at what level those clubs are now playing.

"The structure of the tournament will be agreed by the ERC board in the coming weeks," said an ERC statement.

Interview: RFU chairman Martin Thomas

But BBC Radio Five Live understands that Premier Rugby, the organisation which represents the 12 English Premiership clubs, will stand by its boycott, unless the RFU agrees to its demands for a 50% shareholding in the Heineken Cup.

RFU chairman Martyn Thomas confirmed England's National League One clubs could fill the gap if the Premiership teams could not be coaxed back into the fold.

"We are going to ensure that English sides play in Europe next year," Thomas told BBC Radio Five Live.

It has been egos and posturing that have put us in this position RFU chairman Martyn Thomas

"(RFU chief executive) Francis Baron met the National League One clubs on Tuesday and it was a very positive meeting. It's very early days though.

"They've explained that they need to know the situation as soon as possible because of their season structure for next season."

Thomas said he was waiting for Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty to return his call in order to discuss the issues further.

"I am still optimistic we will find a way of getting the Premiership clubs back," he added.

"On both sides of the Channel, it has been egos and posturing that have put us in this position."

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on this issue - can the Heineken Cup be salvaged?

Premier Rugby said before the Dublin meeting that they would put forward a proposal for an expanded competition, with the number of teams increased from 24 to 36.

The current Heineken Cup contract expires at the end of the season and its future was thrown into turmoil after France and England's top clubs voted to boycott the competition.

The decision to host some form of tournament was welcomed by the Welsh Rugby Union.

"This is a significant step forward from the gloomy picture that we faced last week with the announcement from the French and English clubs," said WRU chief executive Roger Lewis.

There is now a clear mandate for a European competition to take place WRU chief executive Roger Lewis

"What will follow is the fine detail, but the Welsh regions can look forward to playing European rugby next season.

"Last week we made contingency plans to ease the financial pain our regions would feel if there were no European tournaments, now they can look forward to a much brighter financial picture next season.

"Ideally we would like the Premiership and French Championship clubs to remain in the fold and the door remains open for that possibility.

"However, there is now a clear mandate for a European competition to take place next season and we will work as hard as possible to ensure it is a success."

And Irish Rugby Football Union chief executive Philip Browne added: "Although this announcement is only a starting point, it is good news for Irish Rugby.

"We will be working with fellow board members within the ERC to formulate the structure of the tournament."