Rugby's big row explained RFU fears for England's Cup bid

The 12 Premiership clubs and the RFU are in conflict over rest days for England's international players.

RFU chief executive Francis Baron has said the row must be resolved soon if England are to retain the World Cup.

But McCafferty said: "We reject the contention that the clubs are putting in jeopardy the World Cup defence."

"The clubs recognise the value of winning the World Cup.

"But the directors of rugby and the clubs don't feel all these days the RFU have requested are needed to defend the World Cup.

"We believe England is best served by a vibrant club game."

The saga began when the RFU and Premier Rugby (PRL), the umbrella body for the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs, fell out over the rest period for the English players that toured with the Lions in New Zealand this summer.

We look forward to meeting with PRL to resolve this issue RFU chairman Martyn Thomas

The RFU withheld a total of �120,000 from three clubs that fielded players during an 11-week rest period which it claims was agreed with the clubs.

However, the clubs maintain that the agreement only applies to England games and not the Lions.

McCafferty has insisted that PRL are willing to take the matter to a European court in order to reclaim the money.

The row has escalated with the bigger issue of central contracts and elite player management ahead of the Six Nations and 2007 World Cup now being raised.

And the RFU, which is determined to have a solid agreement in place by the end of November, will now meet with the PRL on 27 October in a bid to resolve the issue.

The players will ultimately play a central role in bringing the sides together Professional Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley

"We believe there are a number of inaccurate points in what they have said, but we plan to take these up with PRL directly," said RFU chairman Martyn Thomas.

"The clear way forward is for the RFU and PRL to get round the negotiating table and reach an agreement. We look forward to meeting with PRL to resolve this issue."

Meanwhile, Professional Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley says the players hold the key to ending the stand-off.

"The central issue is not club versus country, it is actually about the guys in the middle," he said.

"All the players are frustrated about the current impasse and we certainly feel that if we get the playing issue sorted a lot of the other issues - the commercial and structural issues - will actually fall into place.

"Listening to the players is probably the only way forward now. We are very fortunate in that a lot of our leading players are very articulate, very bright people and have thought through a lot of the issues.

"You feel a concern that everyone is getting caught up in the political issues and we should return to the rugby.

"The players will ultimately play a central role in bringing the sides together. It's about trying to find a representative group to come up with what they feel is the right way forward and then broker a deal between the RFU and clubs."