1996, April: First threat to banish England after they sign an independent TV deal with Sky worth £87 million.

July: England thrown out after refusing to back down over TV deal.

September: Current TV `accord' was agreed and England re-admitted to the championship. However, England were forced to agree to share £65 million of their new wealth with the other nations. An independent valuer was appointed to decide the share-out of the money. It is possible that the valuation will result in England paying back £3 million per year for the 10 years of the 1996 agreement.

1998, November: The RFU threatens court action to halt the valuation process and to declare the TV deal invalid. Legal threat later lifted but RFU declines to confirm the accord.

January 16th: RFU told to confirm validity of agreement by noon on January 18th or face expulsion, with Italy taking England's place in this season's tournament.

January 18th: RFU concedes 1996 accord is "binding and enforceable" but insist it is "properly ratified" by all the other countries. Twickenham believes that France should sign the deal and that it should be re-negotiated to take into account Italy's entry into a new Six Nations event in 2000. Five Nations committee later says: "As of midday today the Rugby Football Union had refused to confirm to the Five Nations committee the continued validity of the accord . . . The deadline having passed, England ceased to be a member of the Five Nations committee and the Championship."