RUGBY:BILL BEAUMONT, the chairman of the English Rugby Football Union, believes there will be a peaceful resolution to the row between the English clubs and the Celtic unions and that the Heineken Cup will be preserved as an elite tournament incorporating teams from across the continent.

Last Friday the RFU said they had not given consent to Premiership Rugby Ltd to negotiate a new European broadcasting deal following the announcement of a “game-changing” broadcasting deal with BT worth up to €190m.

Beaumont said he has been advised there “could well have been a breach of contract” but hinted he would be prepared to intervene to broker an “amicable settlement”.

RFU officials are due to meet club representatives next Wednesday and Beaumont, who famously negotiated a peace deal over a pint in a Glasgow pub in 1999 which saved England from expulsion from the Six Nations, will once again be required to employ his diplomatic qualities.

“We are due to meet with the club owners next Wednesday,” said Beaumont, admitting there is “a long way to go” before the dispute can be sorted.

“I have seen these things come and go in the past and I would sincerely hope that people sit down and discuss it around a room rather than in the media. We have got to try and get on and reach an amicable settlement which suits all parties.

“I would like to think there will be a peaceful outcome. That is what the RFU wants. We don’t want to be at loggerheads with our neighbours all the time or the clubs.

“As chairman of the RFU and being involved in the Six Nations we also have a meeting coming up in Rome and this will be an agenda item.”

Even Beaumont concedes, though, that the RFU are still studying the fine print of the PRL deal.

“I was certainly not aware of the announcement of the deal the clubs brokered, nor the detail. I am advised there could well have been a breach in the contract, but at the moment let’s keep the door open, let’s not take sides. I am sure there will be a fair bit more repositioning over the next month or two but I would like to think the six countries would still be involved in the European Cup.”

Leicester’s chairman, Peter Tom, hopes common sense will prevail. “If you take the emotion out of it, it [the BT deal] is certainly a good deal for English rugby and the clubs. The proposals we have put forward for the new European competition are very sensible. There is nothing underhand here. It is just that deals of this nature have to be conducted in secrecy.”

ANKLE INJURY RULES FODEN OUT FOR THREE MONTHS

England fullback Ben Foden has been ruled out for three months after suffering severe damage to his right ankle ligaments.

Foden will undergo surgery after sustaining the injury during Northampton’s English Premiership match against Bath last Friday.

“It is unfortunate for Ben who has had a good run in the side and is a valuable leader,” England coach Stuart Lancaster said. “But we have a number of back three players who are playing well and this offers a chance for them.”

England play Fiji on November 10th before taking on Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.