LEADING Rugby Football Union official Cliff Brittle yesterday called for those responsible for negotiating the television deal which has left England excluded from the Five Nations Championship to resign en bloc.

The chairman of the RFU executive committee claimed he was sidelined throughout the talks with Sky TV, when England signed a lucrative independent agreement for coverage of their matches.

They were then thrown out of the tournament as their four rivals closed ranks, and Brittle blasted: "The people involved in those talks completely misjudged the consequences of their actions. I would like to think they would stand down for a new team to be formed to handle new negotiations. Around the country there is despair, anger and a feeling of betrayal."

England's television negotiators included RFU secretary Tony Hallett, treasurer Colin Herridge and his predecessor David Robinson, vice-president Peter Brook, committee member John Jevons-Fellows and clubs' representative Neil Hannah.

Brittle. speaking on Radio Five Live from his summer base in the south of France, is starting to wave a big stick after criticising fellow officers at last week's annual meeting and in the wake of England's ejection from the championship.

He said he and new RFU president John Richardson had decided to lead a team to meet the other home unions next week. "We will be there to talk about the principle of TV negotiations. We have got to be positive. We are in crisis," he admitted.

"We have got to get all the unions and the broadcasters together to find a way forward for the benefit of all. I would like to see Sky come back to the table and review their position. The Five Nations will still exist if we are sensible about it."

South Africa yesterday reached the Student World Cup final for the first time by taming Scotland by 53-31 in Johannesburg.

The Scots, with a number of international and `A' team players in their line-up, were expected to beat the hosts comfortably, but were solidly outplayed. Number eight Naude Rossouw and full back Kobus Engelbrecht led the way, with Roussow scoring two tries and Engelbrecht contributing 19 points.

South Africa will now meet title holders France, in the final at Ellis Park stadium on Saturday.