ENGLISH rugby's long running dispute could inch closer towards a truce after Donald Kerr, chairman of England Professional Rugby Union Clubs, revealed yesterday that Sky TV have offered to help in the peace process.
Kerr said: "We have been asked to a meeting next Thursday at which Sky TV have offered to mediate in our dispute."
However, Rugby Football Union officials had no knowledge of Sky's move. They were locked in a full committee meeting for most of yesterday.
This latest move follows the breakdown last Tuesday of talks between the RFU and EPRUC.
Sky have an interest in getting the row settled as one of the main issues is who owns the TV rights EPRUC or the RFU.
Sky have singed an agreement to pay English rugby £87.5 million over the next five years.
It is understood that Vernon Pugh, chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union and the International Board has been asked to attend because of the international and Five Nations implications of the Sky contract and the English feud.
. Australia have agreed with the four home unions to undertake a Grand Slam tour every four years starting in the year 2000. The news was delivered yesterday by the Wallabies manager Peter Falk shortly after the Australia touring party arrived in Edinburgh to begin the second leg of their current tour.
