The recently-appointed Rugby Football Union (RFU) chairman Brian Baister will meet officials from Scotland, Ireland and Wales today with the intention of creating a 20-team British league tournament.

The European Cup, as well as Welsh and English club rugby, is in a state of chaos and Baister says he aims to ensure peace between battling administrators and make certain urgently-needed club competitions around Europe are in place.

"The pilot scheme is to add six clubs to the Allied Dunbar's 14 English teams in two leagues, or `conferences' with the top sides going into semi-finals," said Baister, who was elected as boss of the RFU management board last month.

"The extra six teams would be four Welsh clubs and the Scottish provinces, but there would be no barrier to Ireland providing entrants".

Irish Rugby Football Union president Noel Murphy said last night: "There has been no contact with the IRFU regarding a proposal for a new league. We are committed to the European Cup competitions, under the auspices of European Cup Ltd."

Baister added that he is optimistic that English clubs can still be persuaded to join the existing European competitions this season - despite the fierce opposition of their representatives English First Division Rugby (EFDR).

"It is a nonsense if England were not to participate in any event that involves other European or British clubs," added Baister.

"There is still a strong possibility that England will participate in the European Cup this coming season."

England's Division One teams last year decided not to re-enter Europe because of a disagreement with the organisers of the tournament - European Rugby Cup.

Baister and the other officials are working for a new structure with at least three proposed competitions - including an Anglo-Welsh event, an Anglo-French league and a European Cup excluding England - looking like non-starters.