Prem stars’ strike threat over salaries

PREMIERSHIP players could go on strike over contractual issues arising from the reduction of next season’s salary cap by more than 20 per cent.

Premiership Rugby has confirmed clubs unanimously voted to cut the cap on senior wage bills from £6.4million to £5million from the start of the 2021-22 season before being restored to current levels by 2024-25 at the latest.

The measures were taken to help clubs weather the crisis but Rugby Players’ Association chairman Mark Lambert says some of his members are being “strong-armed” into accepting reduced contracts as a result, and could not rule out taking the ultimate sanction.

Harlequins prop Lambert said: “We very much see it (a strike) as the last action, and something you would look to avoid for the benefit of all stakeholders.

“But it’s difficult for us to entirely rule out any options when we’re in the situation where we’ve got members with fixed-term contracts in some senses essentially being strong-armed into thinking they have no choice but to sign an inferior contract.”

Lambert said that while the RPA appreciates the need to face up to the “unprecedented financial challenges”, he could not condone the “absolute disregard” with which players have been treated.

Premiership players have already undertaken 25 per cent wage cuts during the lockdown, and face the prospect of the reductions being made permanent under the new arrangement.