ENGLISH rugby will make a second attempt to agree the ground rules for the open game at tomorrow's reconvened special general meeting in Birmingham.

The initial gathering in January ended abruptly in chaos after the clubs had rejected the Rugby Football Union (REU) committee's nominee as chairman of the executive committee.

Twickenham officials are hoping that the 2,000 clubs will be content with having flexed their muscles once and will now nod through the new regulations that will make a professional game work.

Tomorrow's first vote on 20 topics for debate is crucial because it asks the game to accept the International Board's decision last August to make rugby an open sport.

This, however, may face opposition, as there is still a strong lobby to go back to last year's position and restore amateurism.