England players stand by their rebellious clubs

Rugby Union

England's players and the English Professional Rugby Union Clubs, the body now representing the top 24 clubs in the country, are united - that much is official and clear - in their stand against the Rugby Football Union, formerly known as the game's governing body.

After a meeting yesterday between Epruc and 42 of the 43 England squad players who had boycotted yesterday's first national training session of the season, a joint statement left Twickenham in no doubt of the solidarity shown by the two parties.

However, it was not made clear just how this solidarity would manifest itself. After more than 90 minutes, this think-tank of professional rugby produced the following statement: "The England rugby squad of 43 [sic] have shown their support for Epruc by attending a scheduled meeting today. Having heard their proposals, the England squad believe that the best way forward for the game is to agree in principle with their vision for the future. Epruc and the players have agreed to form a joint team to take this rapidly forward."

No one would explain anymore than that. Most of the players slipped discreetly out of side and back doors in an effort to sidestep the media scrum. Those who did emerge said nothing. But prior to the get-together, the Northampton captain, Tim Rodber, said: "We are being used as pawns. We would rather be playing or training. But there is so much going on that this meeting is necessary, to find out our position."

Clearly there are plans to build an infrastructure from which this Epruc- players combination will be able to set up domestic and European club competition and, eventually, international matches. They mean business, and calling the meeting was a smart move on the part of Epruc, which represents the top 24 clubs. The first England contracts expired at the weekend and Epruc seized the initiative to embarrass the RFU following the announcement of its breakaway last week.

Tony Hallett, the RFU secretary, expressed "disappointment" that the clubs had used the players as "a negotiating tool". He also pointed out that if Epruc break away it will have to generate its own revenue without the help of the RFU. "We do not believe that they can match what can be done if we work together," he said.

Derek Morgan, the chairman of the RFU's National Playing committee, said: "We greatly regret the absence of the players. No action will be taken against them. Unfortunately the players are caught in a situation not of their making. I cannot believe that anyone would willingly not want to be involved with an England squad or ultimately to rule themselves out of contention for England."

Only one squad member was not at the meeting. Coventry's Robin Hardwick dutifully drove to Bisham Abbey to be confronted by the England coaching and management team, an empty pitch, no players and no real idea of what was going on.

Hardwick, who has made 10 England A appearances, said: "I want to play for England. If that means turning up at a session when I'm invited, I turn up. I had no instruction from Epruc or anyone else not to to turn up. I had a letter from England asking to attend and I had a phone call from Twickenham yesterday [Tuesday] saying that the session was on. I don't really understand what is going on. I just hope they get the whole thing sorted out." That is the heartfelt plea of a nation of rugby followers.

Welsh rugby on verge of compromise, page 27