It was the briefest of exiles. Less than 24 hours after being thrown out of the Five Nations Championship, England were reinstated with farcical speed after agreeing yesterday to toe the line laid down by the tournament's governing committee.

Their expulsion was overturned shortly after Rugby Football Union representatives gave unconditional support to a legally binding 10-year agreement on the share-out of Five Nations television revenue.

However, it was not a total climb-down by England. Twickenham's anxieties over perceived shortcomings in the 10-year accord will be addressed at a further meeting, probably early next month.

The financial input of France, who have hitherto kept all the TV revenue from their home games, and Italy, who may require cash support from the other unions, are certain to figure high on the list of RFU concerns. In short, this dispute is set to rumble on.

The peace deal was brokered by Brian Baister, chairman of the RFU management board, and Bill Beaumont, former England and Lions captain, who together accepted the conditions for England's readmission spelled out by Allan Hosie, chairman of the Five Nations Committee, at a hastily convened meeting in Glasgow.

In effect, England agreed to be bound by the findings of an independent valuer, who will determine their contribution to the Five Nations pooled revenue, which could be up to £35 million.

Hosie said he was delighted all the unions were now signatories to the agreement. "The Five Nations Championship without the participation of England would not have been the same," he said.

England's prompt reinstatement was also good news for BSkyB, with whom they agreed the five-year £87.5 million deal that also precipitated their expulsion - and reintroduction in 1996 - and for Lloyds/TSB, the Five Nations' title sponsor who have a groundbreaking agreement worth £12 million to the unions over three years. The sponsor would certainly have revised its financial commitment downwards had England not returned to the fold.

The status quo means that Italy, who enter the tournament next year, will not after all take England's place this season. Instead England's Calcutta Cup match against Scotland at Twickenham on February 20th, for which all 74,000 seats have been sold, will go ahead as planned.

Last night the Five Nations Committee issued a brief statement: "The written undertaking required of the RFU by the Five Nations Committee was given today by Brian Baister, chairman of the RFU. The other unions are delighted at the resolution and welcome England back into the Five Nations Championship."

The message for England, who were recently fined £60,000 in a separate dispute with the International Board, seems to be that they will play fast and loose with their European partners at their peril. Previously Twickenham insisted it would not bow to the threat of expulsion, yet no sooner did that happen than Baister came up with the written form of words the Five Nations wanted.

"Our discussions this afternoon were productive and amicable," said Baister. "Bill and I have fulfilled our aim of reaching an agreement which would satisfy the RFU and the Five Nations. It was essential that we sat down today and discussed the issues with Allan. We all believe that the solution reached is in the best interests of the game, the supporters, players, broadcasters and sponsors."

An RFU statement said: "It is the intention of the parties that any resultant proposals for updating the accord will be put before the Five/Six Nations Committee for approval." No future meeting would have been possible without the all-important declaration that "the RFU confirmed that the accord is a binding and enforcible agreement".

Hosie said of earlier hostilities: "I have to express a little disappointment at the very least at some of the comments - misinformed and inaccurate statements - which were emanating from Twickenham. They were . . . inflammatory and I don't believe that is helpful. . . I feel Brian and I were on a more common wavelength than perhaps we had been before."