Rugby Union: Rfu to Fight for Central Contracts

Twickenham has hired a public relations firm to handle inquiries relating to its dispute with Premier Rugby over the future of the professional game in England, leaving its six-strong communications department to concentrate on next month's internationals at Twickenham.

The move is an indication that the Rugby Football Union is in for the long haul as it attempts to change the long-form agreement it signed with the leading clubs four years ago into an arrangement that permits it greater control over elite players.

The US public relations firm Hill & Knowlton this week signed a short-term contract with the RFU - which has not responded to Premier Rugby's threat of legal action - to handle all calls from the media relating to the dispute.

The clubs are also taking to the trenches. They fear that the RFU is working at the behest of the International Rugby Board, which sees England and France, the only major unions in the world where the professional game remains club-based, as the two remaining obstacles to a globally structured season.

"We support the current long-form agreement," said the Bath chief executive Bob Calleja. "We have never failed to make players available for international duty at any level but we are steadfastly opposed to the idea of central contracts.

"As for the idea of the RFU buying up clubs - and we have not been told anything directly - Bath is not for sale at any price.

"A war chest of £15m is rumoured to have been drawn up by the RFU but that would be nowhere enough, even if they can find any clubs willing to go along with the plan. They are being naive."