WASPS will face a two-legged European play-off in May if they finish seventh in the Aviva Premiership and plans for a new competition are ratified this week.
It is expected that a new structure for European rugby will be officially unveiled this week in the shape of the European Rugby Champions Cup, which will burst into life next season.
Involving 20 clubs, it will include six teams from England, six from France and seven from the Pro12.
The final place will be decided with a home and away play-off between the teams placed seventh in England and France.
At it stands, that is Wasps and Racing Metro.
However, that could cause fixture problems if Wasps progress to the Amlin Challenge Cup Final, scheduled for the weekend of May 23 and 24.
Wasps host Gloucester in the quarter-finals. If they win that they’ll take on Bath or Brive in the last four.
A second and third tier European competition is also expected to be announced.
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