Premier Rugby have written to International Rugby Board chairman Syd Millar requesting a round-table meeting with all parties involved in the European Cup stand-off.

Millar yesterday lambasted the English and French clubs for their "absolutely disgraceful" decision to withdraw from both tiers of European competition next season in a row over voting and shareholding rights.

Millar attacked French clubs chief Serge Blanco for his role in the stand-off and accused English elements of trying to "destroy" European Rugby Cup (ERC).

But he also confirmed the importance of club rugby in the fabric of the world game and called for rapprochement in order to save the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup.

Premier Rugby, the Guinness Premiership clubs' umbrella body, responded today by writing to Millar requesting a meeting between the IRB, the English and French unions and the respective clubs bodies.

"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."

Earlier today, Wasps chief executive David Davies responded witheringly to Millar's attack on the boycott, calling his statement a "tantrum".

Davies insisted he still believed an agreement would be reached and urged all parties to discuss the matter. He told BBC Radio: "This is just a tantrum from one of the grandfathers of the game.

"I don't think this is the time to respond to an angry outburst. It is the time for negotiations. I think it (this year's European Cup) will be a competition with all six northern hemisphere countries involved and I think it will have the backing of the IRB."

The effects of any boycott could be intense, with the three Irish provinces poised to lose out hugely in financial terms and the Scottish Rugby Union quick to warn that their professional game could die without European competition next year.

But Davies insists none of the clubs involved in the planned boycott are acting in self-interest.

He added: "We have thought of other people and there comes a point in time where one has to recognise that those other people have agreed with the stance that we took. Had we been at loggerheads with the French, Welsh, Italian and Irish unions, I could agree with some of Syd's comments.

"I think we all need to take a deep breath and discuss this behind closed doors."