English RFU chief executive Francis Baron has promised the club versus country rift and all other contentious issues blighting English rugby will be resolved by June. Such problems have been blamed for England's decline since the World Cup victory in 2003 and Baron has vowed to fans the problems will be cleared up in a matter of months.

"It ends in June. We have a new way forward in June," said Baron, when the RFU's Way Forward base and discussion documents were presented at Twickenham yesterday. Baron revealed the RFU and Premier Rugby, the body representing the 12 Premiership clubs, have come much closer to reaching agreement over recent weeks. "We all feel the same. This time we are going to fix it."

The RFU have produced wide-ranging possible solutions to the issues they aim to resolve. They include: central contracts for England's squad players; player safety and welfare; a development pathway for England qualified players and coaches to reach international level; the structure of the season's league, cup and international fixtures; the question of promotion and relegation from the Premier League; new stadium investment and the problems of ground-sharing with soccer clubs.