RFU offers Gloucester a way out

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has offered a tentative olive branch to Gloucester following the row over Henry Paul's availability for England Sevens duty - deferring their judgment to allow the club to reconsider their present position.

Gloucester incurred the wrath of the RFU by refusing to release Henry Paul for last week's Hong Kong Sevens tournament. The club then played the England centre in Friday's Zurich Premiership game against Sale Sharks, despite a warning from the RFU that Paul's selection in the league clash would lead to sanctions.

But the English governing body has now given Gloucester seven days to meet the Sevens protocol that the RFU say the club flouted.

Complying with the protocol involves Gloucester naming two players, acceptable to the Sevens management and coaching team, for the 'wider squad' who will be made available for the final two legs of the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Sevens Series in Bordeaux (May 28/29) and London (June 5/6).

England - who won the Hong Kong leg of the series for the third successive year - will compete in the Singapore leg this weekend without Paul.

The RFU has also asked Gloucester to confirm their commitment to fully complying with the Sevens protocol for the 2004/05 Sevens season.

The RFU has made clear that the matter will be referred to the RFU Disciplinary Officer if they do not receive the information requested from Gloucester by April 7.