Grand final.

The winners of the Guinness PRO14 and the Gallagher Premiership could potentially meet each other in a “Grand Final” at the end of future seasons, according to Owen Slot in The Times.

Investment firm CVC Capital Partners, who recently bought a 27 per cent stake in the Premiership for £220 million, are closing in on a similar deal to buy just under a third of the PRO14 for around £120 million.

The report says the deal has reached “exclusivity” stage with the PRO14 ceasing any negotiations with rival firms. The price, structure and the terms of conditions of the sale have all already been agreed with CVC.

The idea to have a “Grand Final” is one of many avenues being explored with the two competitions said to have already discussed this. Other possibilities  being considered include the combining of the two leagues at the end-of-season play-off stages whereby the knockout rounds would see a competition where the top four of each league are pitted against each other.

CVC are also said to be in negotiations with Six Nations officials, in a move that would no doubt be detrimental to World Rugby’s hopes of a Nations League.

You can read the fascinating report in full here.