TWICKENHAM chiefs have made an improved offer to English top rugby union clubs in the hope that their year-long conflict can be resolved. The English RFU have agreed to a pay-out of £10 million in 1998 on top of their earlier offer of £8 million this year and £10 million in 1997.

The 24 top clubs have also been offered two places on the 18-strong RFU executive committee. If a 12-man management board is formed, they will get one seat.

The English Professional Rugby Union Clubs (EPRUC), which represents senior club sides, are at odds with the RFU over television rights, control of the game and share-out of money. The RFU's offer comes a day before EPRUC holds its own meeting.

The RFU said yesterday: "Our draft agreement is generous, fair and reasonable and represents a proper balance between the EPRUC clubs for autonomy and the RFU's duty to be, a proper guardian of the game.

Bath director of rugby John Hall has described Saturday's European Cup quarter-final showdown with Cardiff at the Arms Park as "the biggest match in our history".

Between them, the sides boast 23 major domestic titles since 1981, while more than 20 full internationals could be involved in a clash that has Wales versus England written all over it.

Hall said that Bath intended putting patchy League form behind them and keep alive their European dream. "We've already lost in this tournament at Pontypridd, and I expect Cardiff to be a better side than they were," he claimed. By our standards, you could say that we have had a terrible start to the season, but other clubs have closed the gap on us."

Cardiff, who have also produced some erratic league performances this season, expect injured international trio Jonathan Davies, Derwyn Jones and Emyr Lewis to return.