BAGSHOT, England - England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) has settled its latest dispute with its leading clubs by agreeing to pay the £148,000 ($390,295) owed in relation to last year's British & Irish Lions tour.
Premier League Rugby (PRL), which represents the Premiership clubs, has been in dispute with the English game's governing body since the Lions tour to New Zealand.
The two sides disagreed over the interpretation of a contractual rest period for players involved on the tour.
Some clubs followed the RFU's line that players could not appear for them for 11 weeks after the tour while Wasps, Bath, Sale and Leicester played some Lions players in club games.
The RFU paid out £180,000 to the cooperating clubs last September but withheld payment to the rebel four.
The dispute had been due to go to the High Court later this month but after lengthy negotiations over the last few weeks the warring factions have reached a settlement.
This also includes PLR recognising as legally binding the RFU's four-year plan detailing player release dates for England duty leading up to the 2007 World Cup.
That now means coach Andy Robinson will have the England squad for 16 extra training days on top of the IRB's regulation 50, which is made up of the five days before each of England's 10 internationals per year.
The RFU says the deal also ensures elite players will be guaranteed a minimum 11 weeks' rest and recuperation in each close season.
- REUTERS
RFU pays up to settle Lions dispute
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