RFU And Premier Rugby Unveil Player Deal
The RFU and elite clubs’ representative body Premier Rugby have finally unveiled a new player management deal running until 2016 that will resolve the club v country row that has blighted the sport in recent years.
The deal, which runs from July 2008 until 2016, will see the RFU give £110m to the Premiership clubs in exchange for more time with elite players.
England players will be released by clubs 14 days before Test matches, giving them more preparation time.
The document also includes the introduction of a bespoke elite player management scheme is designed to avoid the much-publicised player ‘burn-out’.
Three Elite England Player Squads – Senior, Saxons and Under-20s – will be created, each consisting of 32 players, and the management of these players will be agreed at the start of each season.
‘I’m very pleased to have negotiated this agreement,’ said RFU chief executive Francis Baron.
‘It has taken a considerable amount of time, but it was vital to get it right and seek to resolve, once and for all, the issues that have caused ‘club v country’ conflict through a long-term agreement that is right for the game as a whole.
‘Our aim has been to produce the most comprehensive and detailed agreement covering the professional game that has been drawn up anywhere in the world.
‘We believe we have done that. We have secured an agreement which both gives the national side the strongest platform it has ever had to maintain and build on its success, while maintaining the integrity of our excellent club game.’
Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty said the financial aspects of the deal – part of which allow the clubs to sell their own TV and media rights – were absolutely crucial.
‘The agreement provides a good balance between what England needs to build on its success and what the clubs need to continue the rapid growth of the professional club game.
‘In addition to the monies being paid by the RFU, it was essential for Premier Rugby and its clubs to secure the full financial potential of their commercial rights in their leading competitions.
‘The real work now lies ahead of us to translate this agreement into sporting success and inspiration for those involved in the game at every level.’
A Professional Game Board will be formed to oversee the agreement, chaired initially by current RFU chairman Martyn Thomas.
It will contain four representatives each from the RFU and Premier Rugby, two from the Professional Rugby Players Association – chief executive Damian Hopley and chairman David Barnes – plus First Division Rugby executive director Geoff Cooke.
Other responsibilities for the Board include reviewing and monitoring performances of the England teams, drawing up the professional domestic season structure and recommending changes in criteria for membership of the Premiership.
