Top 12 clubs adopt hardline over promotion

England's top rugby clubs are expected to "go it alone" following emergency talks with the Second Division over promotion and relegation.

Tom Walkinshaw, chairman of the First Division club's body, was attempting to find a solution to the row before heading to Australia, where his Arrows Formula One motor racing team are preparing for the opening Grand Prix of the year in Melbourne.

If an agreement has not been found - and the signs were bad last night - then the First Division will go ahead with plans to run club rugby next season outside the control of the Rugby Football Union. The only way this could be headed off is for the Second Division to accept one promotion place this season and a play-off in the years ahead.

As Standard Sport revealed yesterday, a new hard line attitude has been adopted by the 12 clubs who have pumped more than £150 million into the professional game. The top clubs would stand by agreed release times for England players but they will not be governed by the RFU.

The clubs believe the RFU, and Club England chairman Fran Cotton in particular, are not interested in a "partnership" and that a breakaway of sorts is their only option.