The Rugby Players’ Association in England will reject calls from Premiership clubs to impose permanent pay cuts.
With some clubs facing financial ruin, the news emerges as Gloucester’s chief executive Lance Bradley says he does not expect training to resume until July, which means the league will not return before August at the earliest.
According to a report in the Telegraph newspaper, Premiership teams were hoping to maintain the indefinite 25% salary deductions that were imposed soon after the competition was suspended on 16 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
However while the RPA accepted the need to impose temporary cuts in extraordinary circumstances, its board voted unanimously to reject those becoming permanent, with chief executive Damian Hopley saying they was prepared to be flexible in the short term but not on a permanent-basis.
The RPA’s case has been helped by divisions within Premiership Rugby’s plan to collectively implement the cuts.
*Make sure you also have access to the print editions of SA Rugby magazine: Subscribe here
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
