English rugby union is hoping to conclude a new multi-million pound TV deal ``in a matter of days'' according to Howard Thomas, acting chief executive of Premier Rugby.

With the previous £87million five-year deal having expired he said talks were being conducted with a number of parties. Sky TV appear the favourites to keep the contract.

Thomas said: ``You have to balance the amount of money you receive with the amount of exposure the game gets. Satellite television has in the past offered the most money but things are a lot more diverse now than they were when we negotiated the last contract.

``One of the disappointments for me over the last few years has been the absence of a club highlights package programme.''

He refused to name the parties involved or the amounts of money being discussed in talks but if Sky retain the main international and top club competition contract, it could still open the door for secondary rights and some club rugby on terrestrial television.

``There are so many aspects to consider,'' added Thomas. But as the game appeared to settle one issue another storm was brewing.

As rugby union today came under fire from people in rugby league for allegedly ``poaching'' the 13-a-side game's top players, RFU chief executive Francis Bacon denied that incentives had been offered from the official body to entice players to switch.

Henry Paul, the New Zealand and Bradford Bulls league star will have his transfer to Gloucester - and, potentially, the England union squad for which he qualifies through his grandparents - formally completed in London tomorrow.

League's Gary Hetherington launched an attack on the union game, accusing it of a ``misuse of money''.

He told Radio 5 Live: ``It is a misguided attitude to damage rugby league and it is sending out the wrong message to young rugby union players. The two codes should be working together to overcome the teams in the Southern hemisphere.''

But Bacon denied official inducements had been offered and said: ``Where players from rugby league wish to make a career change we will try to see how we can assist the process.

''If players want to do that it is only common sense that we work together to try and effect that change for the benefit of both parties.''

Last year when current England and Lions star Jason Robinson, the former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league winger, switched codes Gloucester owner Tom Walkinshaw threatened to pull his team out of the game against Robinson's new club Sale if RFU money was involved.

But today Walkinshaw, also chairman of Premier Rugby Limited, said: ``The situation with Jason Robinson was sorted out last year. We are working out some details as to how we can assist each other. That would be on a person by person basis.''