England draw blank in pay row

A PAY dispute that threatens to overshadow England's tour to Australia and New Zealand has still not been resolved after extensive negotiations.

Talks between the Rugby Football Union and Team England Rugby, negotiating body for England's elite squad, have drawn a blank.

Both sides have now agreed for an independent third party to deliver a recommendation that will be mutually binding.

England manager Martin Johnson this week named a 44-man squad for the five-match trip, which starts in Perth on 8 June and includes two Tests against Australia. England will also face New Zealand Maori in Napier.

It is understood players who feature in England's Test 22 against the Wallabies had been proposed to receive additional match fees of 5,000 per Test – plus a possible win bonus – on top of a basic 7,800 tour payment. If approved, that could mean some players earning at least 10,000 more than those not involved in either Test match.

In a joint statement setting out the latest position, the RFU and Team England Rugby said: "Both parties have agreed a mutually acceptable independent third party will make a recommendation which both parties have agreed will be binding."

"The timings around this confidential process are currently being finalised, and neither party will make any further comment until the process is complete."