England decides to go it alone over TV rights

ENGLAND'S representatives John Jeavons Fellows and Peter Brook delivered the message Ireland, Wales and Scotland had anticipated in the light of recent activity that it is England's intention to go it alone in negotiating television rights for the Five Nation's Championship, when the committee met in Dublin yesterday.

No official statement was issued following the meeting, but England's attitude had been declared by the secretary of the English Rugby Union (RFU), Tony Hallet, in a statement at the weekend. The agreement for the television rights to the championship, which expires at the end of next season, has always been a four way split between the Four Home Unions.

Prior to the current agreement being put in place two years ago, England had wanted the largest share on the basis that they had the widest audience. That was resisted when an agreement for £27 million was reached with the BBC.

But England did get the money from an additional agreement with Sky Television for rights to televise the championship matches on Saturday evenings and domestic league and cup matches live in England as well the right to televise All Ireland League matches, an option exercised on only a few occasions in the case of AIL matches.

England's demands for the lion's share have been resisted yet again, thus their decision to go it alone.

Debate and activity on the new agreement have been going for quite some time and it had become clear that England saw negotiating a separate agreement as the best option. I understand approaches were made to Wales to join forces with them and leave Scotland and Ireland isolated.

Wales resisted and England's attitude has caused immense annoyance to the IRFU, Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Scottish Rugby Union (SRU).

Vernon Pugh, chairman of the WRU, of the International Board and of the Four Home Unions television sub committee - IRFU president Syd Millar is also a member of that committee said at the weekend: "England's attitude could well mean England going out of the Five Nations Championship." He added that Wales could probably have negotiated a good television deal but that they were not prepared to" desert Ireland and Scotland. The French Rugby Federation is not, part of the Five Nations TV agreement, they have their own deal with French television.

If there is a breakaway by the major clubs in England from the IRFU it could mean that an England team from the breakaway, clubs would be representing the country.

There is a strong belief that the RFU has been conducting discussions with Sky Television and certainly, in view of their stance, it is obvious they have a lucrative "offer on the table. Millar has made it clear that no negotiations have taken place between the Four Home Unions' TV committee and Sky.

England's attitude is seen as selfish and if it persists it could have far reaching repercussions.

The RFU statement on Saturday outlined England's attitude: "The RFU has taken the decision to negotiate its own broadcasting rights. This decision recognises the imperatives of the open game and the overall promotion of rugby."

The Scottish Rugby Union issued a statement last night that the TV committee will be reporting back to the respective unions today with a view to issuing a joint statement tomorrow.