Pro12 may split into two halves

authoritiesseek to trim their league to 15 teams.

The Cheetahs, for whom Scotland propWPNel turned out before moving to Edinburgh, have denied receiving any “official invitation” and may be reluctant to jump into bed with the Pro12 until they know their Super Rugby future .

Some sources have suggested that the South African Rugby Union( SARU) are keen for the Pro 12 to take on both the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings. The European teams could play bothon one trip to South Africa.

The South African broadcaster Super Sport owns a slice of the Cheetahs franchise and would provide an obvious broadcast partner in any such venture.

If two South African franchises do join it would be theseason after next at the earliest, and there is ever y possibility that they would be joined by one or more franchises in North America withthe Pro 12 expanding to two conferences. Teams would play opposition in the same conference twice, home and away, and teams in the other conference just once, home or away.

The exact numbers may depend upon the fate of the two Italian sides Zebre and B enetton Treviso, whose Pro 12 future has been called into question.