England are again locked in bitter conflict with their European partners over a TV deal for the next century, three years after being expelled from the Five Nations set-up over the same issue. The five countries met in Dublin yesterday and discussions will continue over the weekend.

The complex negotiations over the share-out of TV cash are further complicated by Italy's entry into a new six-nations event in 2000 and French independence in organising their own broadcasting rights.

There is bound to be lingering mistrust by the Celtic nations, who slung England out in the wake of the Rugby Football Union signing an £87 million deal with Sky in 1996.

England were subsequently restored in time for the 1997 championship, but with a new deal on the horizon there was bound to be heated bargaining.

England's attitude is regarded as provocative, while RFU chiefs believe that they are being ignored or excluded from some meetings.

Meanwhile English and French clubs sent representatives to a meeting in Paris yesterday "to discuss the European rugby competition." A short statement did not make it clear whether this meant the current European Cup or a new event but "significant progress was achieved and the majority of principals agreed."