Twickenham indicated last night that it would not sanction plans by the Guinness Premiership club owners to combat the economic downturn by playing extra league matches in the regular season.
The club owners, who face losses of more than £20m this year, met this week. They opted to keep the salary cap at £4m for two seasons and not to reduce squad sizes and agreed to abandon the EDF Energy Cup and play five extra league matches, making 27 before the play-offs.
Under the agreement between the clubs and the Rugby Football Union that came into force last July any change in the Premiership's structure must be approved by the union. The RFU has requested a meeting with Premier Rugby next week. Yesterday its management board chairman, Martyn Thomas, said: "We understand these are difficult times for all clubs, professional and community, and it is important all clubs budget carefully and prudently during the current major recession.
"However, we must ensure we maintain the stability of our playing structures and continue to deliver on player welfare issues. We are looking forward to receiving the detail of their proposals from Premier Rugby next week. These will be discussed by the Professional Game Board on 22 January and the RFU management board six days later."
The RFU said in a statement that it was concerned about the clubs' "apparent" withdrawal from a proposed successor to the EDF Energy Cup and the plan for more Premiership matches. Club owners say the RFU wants to combat the recession by cutting the Premiership from 12 to 10 clubs.
Newcastle's Jonny Wilkinson said yesterday that he would not be fit for the start of the Six Nations. The England No10, who is recovering from a dislocated knee, is determined to put himself in contention for the Lions tour to South Africa. "Time may be a little short but I will enjoy the challenge and the journey towards the Lions tour," he said. "If I get there, great. If I don't, I will target the next one."
England have invited the Brive fly-half Andy Goode to a training camp in Portugal at the end of the month. Saracens have signed the former New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall for the rest of the season as cover for Neil de Kock, who has a broken arm. The 35-year old has been released by Montpellier, who last week suspended him for refusing to come off the bench. Marshall, who has 88 All Black caps, spent the 2005-06 season with Leeds.
