Hopley plea for solution

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The PRA are furious the impasse between the Rugby Football Union and Premier Rugby has led to English and French clubs withdrawing from all European competition next season - which will cost the Guinness Premiership clubs around £400,000.

Chief executive Damian Hopley demanded an immediate resolution to the long-running saga before permanent damage is done to the game. He said: "The endless club v country battle is doing material damage to the sport and the players are now calling on both Premier Rugby and the RFU to stop these public disputes and find a lasting solution, in conjunction with the PRA."

He added: "Given the direct financial implications of these latest developments to the club game, we believe that all stakeholders should be able to directly influence the competitions in which they participate, but this must be done as part of a solution that addresses the player welfare and international release issues.

"It is time for both parties to take a leap of faith, get round the table and stop the public slanging matches. The patience of both the rugby players and the rugby fans is wearing extremely thin.

"The PRA are offering to facilitate a meeting with both parties at a neutral venue in order to agree a workable solution.

"The players all want to play in a tournament that rated so highly in the Ipsos Mori survey and the PRA believe by acting as the voice of reason it would help establish a sustainable future for the game."