WITH England facing expulsion from the Five Nations Championship because of their unilateral deal with Sky Television, the television sub-committee of the Five Nations met in London yesterday evening against a background of pessimism about a possible settlement.
Prior to the meeting, Ireland's representative on the sub-committee, Syd Millar said: "Unfortunately, I cannot see any reason for optimism that agreement can be reached with England. They have not been back to us since we rejected their last proposals.
"There is no indication whatsoever at this stage of a change of attitude by England, unless there "is a last-minute development, and I see no reason to presume there will be."
Millar says, however, "one has to be realistic and therefore we must finalise arrangements for the alternative tournament involving four nations on a home and away basis.
"I would hope that an announcement will be made about dates and other arrangements for the tournament., That could come in a day or two.
The meeting last night was between Millar, Vernon Pugh (Wales) and Freddie Macleod (Scotland). England's representative on the committee, John Jeavons Fellowes was not scheduled to attend, while the French representative, Marcel Martin was apparently unable to make the journey from Paris.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Leinster Branch, led by honorary secretary Sandy Heffernan, will travel to London today to have discussions with officials from the London Irish club about the availability of the club's players for Leinster in the European Cup. It is anticipated that London Irish coach Clive Woodward and the club's chief executive Duncan Leopold will attend the meeting.
All The Leinster players based with English clubs have been asked to travel to London to meet the branch officials today. Five of the players are with London Irish - Conor O'Shea, Victor Costello, Niall Woods, Malcolm O'Kelly and Ray Hennessy. Prop Paul Wallace is with another London club, Saracens, while Nick Popplewell has been invited to travel from Newcastle.
It is anticipated that most if not all the English based players will be released by their clubs to play for their provinces in the European Cup.
One issue that must be resolved however is that of insurance. The players are covered by the Irish provinces when they play in European competition.
Ulster manager Ken Reid had discussions with officials from London Irish about the availability of the Ulster players who are with London Irish, when the club played Ulster last Saturday. "It was an interesting discussion and we have been assured about our players' release," he said.
"There is, a question of insurance but that should not prove difficult to arrange. We have assured by Northampton that Jonathan Bell will be released to play for us in the European Cup."
`So far so good', one might reasonably say. Should any of the clubs who have Irish provincial players qualify for the European Cup next season, then release will not be easily attained. But that is a matter for the future.
Munster will be seeking the release of Gabriel Fulcher and Rob Henderson from London Irish and Richard Wallace from Saracens, while they must negotiate with Bristol for the release of Paul Burke and David Corkery.
Despite an official announcement last week by the Munster Branch and assurances from the player to Colm Tucker, the Munster manager, that he had declared for Munster, there was renewed speculation at the weekend that Henderson could, in fact, declare for Ulster.
On this issue, Reid says: "It is a matter for the player. if he has declared for Munster then that is not a problem and we will accept that.
Second row forward Steve Jameson, who damaged a bone in his hand playing for Leinster against Sale last Saturday, will be fit to travel to Italy on Saturday for Leinster's two-match tour, which starts against Benetton in Treviso on Sunday. But there is still a doubt about the fitness of full back Ciaran Clarke, who injured a knee and had to leave the field at an early stage of the match in Sale.
