The Italian Rugby Federation has made the decision owing to financial pressures on the outfit.

Aironi are currently bottom of the PRO12, while they also propped up a Heineken Cup group this season that included Ulster, Clermont Auvergne and Leicester.

Fixtures in place until the end of this term will be honoured, and Italian rugby chiefs have already started the procedure to form a new franchise for next season.

Benetton Treviso are the other Italian team currently playing PRO12 rugby, a competition that also includes representatives from Wales, Scotland and Ireland.