Premier Rugby, which represents the 12 clubs in the Premier Division, has sent its offer to the Rugby Football Union. They are asking for £12.4m-a-year funding and in return say they will not select England players during the autumn internationals or Six Nations.

At the moment Premier Rugby receives £5m-a-year from the RFU increased to £6m in a World Cup year, this is split between the member clubs. The new demand of £12.4m a year they want to run for a minimum of eight years from the start of the 2008-09 season.

Other proposals are the formation of a “Professional Board”, which would “only focus on playing-related matters”, to govern the elite game in England. This board would comprise four RFU members, four from Premier Rugby, two from the Professional Rugby Players’ Association and one from the Division One clubs. They have also raised the thorny issue of a direct stake in the Heineken Cup, which the RFU has consistently refused to agree to. With the RFU’s Way Forward document is it possible they can now all sit down and come to an agreement which will take the professional game forward to the benefit of all? Or will it lead to another round of argument and claims on both sides of vested interests scuppering a resolution.  One thing for sure if the money requested goes to English players it will be good!