Clubs renege on release of players

ENGLAND'S leading clubs have reneged on their promise to release players in Courage Leagues One and Two for upcoming divisional matches against touring sides from the Southern Hemisphere.

Yesterday, the clubs' umbrella organisation, EPRUC Ltd, said England's three pre Christmas internationals were the only representative games for which players would be made freely available.

The clubs' decision to go back on their undertaking to co operate with the RFU's divisional programme follows the latest breakdown in talks with the union aimed at resolving the nine month dispute over TV agreements and control of competitions.

Late yesterday, Twickenham had not acceded to EPRUC's request to be allowed to put its case to next Friday's meeting of the full 63 man RFU committee.

In any case the RFU is unlikely to be impressed by EPRUC negotiators who seem willing to play fast and loose with the players' representative ambitions by withdrawing them from divisional matches against Argentina, Queensland, South Africa A and the New Zealand Barbarians.

This week, Twickenham issued a policy statement warning the top players that the route to international rugby still lay through divisions.

A claim by an EPRUC director that the alleged intransigence of Cliff Brittle, chairman of the RFU executive committee, had reunited the top 24 clubs against the RFU does not stand close scrutiny.

The majority of cash strapped clubs want to sign a deal with Twickenham because they are desperate to qualify for RFU money to help them pay the salaries of players and professional staff.

It is understood that even wealthy Richmond, who are supported by a £2.5 millions investment by Ashley Levett, are on the point of breaking ranks with natural allies, such as Newcastle and Saracens, and accepting the RFU deal.

The elite of financially stable clubs which includes Newcastle, Harlequins, Wasps, Bath, Leicester and Northampton believe they must continue to negotiate until they have gained almost complete control over their own competitions and sources of revenue.

The well off minority can now afford to pay their way courtesy of millionaire benefactors like Sir John Hall and Andrew Brownsword. Consequently, they are not under urgent pressure to make major compromises with the RFU.

A fresh crisis between the sides could erupt in the new year if the clubs attempt to withhold the players from the Five Nations championship, which, in England's case, starts with the Calcutta Cup match against Scotland on February 1st.

Members of the England squad would then have to choose between club and country even though their club contracts already provide for their release to play in England internationals.

Scots, Irish and Welsh players in the Courage Leagues are similarly covered.

Some RFU loyalists among the players will insist on their legal and contractual right to ply their trade and play for England whatever the current merits of the dispute - not unreasonably they point out they could lose up to £100,000 each this season should they fall victim to political in fighting.

Two things are certain. The RFU intends to put 15 players on the field for each scheduled representative match.

The RFU will also keep control of official English competitions at every level, a political fact that would ultimately leave the clubs without overseas opponents should they contemplate another breakaway threat.