Club vs country row continues unabated up north

It sounds like a bad script from a substandard TV show, maybe Boston Legal. Lawyers litigate a heated contractual dispute between Government interests, employers and revolting employees. In the sub-plot, a $300m event, a great deal of credibility and swarthy Argentinians loom as unlikely saviours.

For the Government, read the England Rugby Union. For employers, read Premier Rugby - the body that represents England's clubs and pays the wages of English rugby players. The players are being asked by the Rugby Football Union to take on the All Blacks on November 5 - arranged late in the day as part of their UK tour and to celebrate the opening of Twickenham's brand spanking new $300m South Stand.

In New Zealand, the NZRU contracts the players and controls their playing agenda. In England, the clubs do - and they have reacted bitterly to the test match arranged late and as an acknowledged moneymaker. If the clubs do not release their top players, it is likely that the All Blacks will be taking on an under-strength England.

The RFU have spluttered at this and have invoked 2001 rules which they say state that players must be released for such matches. They say there is no danger of the test being cancelled or a sadly underpowered England team being selected.

As in all good union disputes, brinkmanship has been employed and the clubs have reacted snakily to the RFU contention - deciding to get the matter tested in court.

The clubs are furious that the game has been scheduled on a day previously reserved for a full round of Premiership matches. They say they only have to release players for national duty in eight periods throughout the season - and that the All Black test is a ninth occasion and not covered by the agreement. They're going to court so everyone knows where they stand.

This has made the RFU spit tacks, taken by surprise by the legal action. Chairman Martyn Thomas said: "...the intention... is to frustrate the celebration event and prevent the RFU raising between $9m and $15m to partly fund this exciting development."

The RFU has offered a $3m compensation package to the clubs but it appears this is not so much about money as control. The RFU has further said that no player will play more tests than originally planned - obviously using rotation to achieve that - and that no England player would be involved in all four autumn test matches.

All of this will have little effect on the All Blacks, other than the make-up of their opponents in the November 5 test. But it does underline the wisdom of New Zealand's central contracts system.

However, there could be a South American solution. The Pumas have yet to confirm they will take part in their scheduled tour of Europe. If they pull out, that would in theory allow the release of England players for the All Black match on November 5.

While that may offer a common-sense solution, the International Rugby Board have already ruled that out, saying that regulations mean clubs would still be able to withhold players from the All Black fixture. The court hearing will take place at the end of the month.