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Ferris: Players have to stand up and be counted

STEPHEN FERRIS believes Irish rugby pros had to “suck it up” and accept a pay cut.

Talks between the IRFU and Rugby Players Ireland were finally resolved on Monday night.

Players on salaries over €25,000 a year will take a 10% salary reduction from July 1 to the end of the year and will also have a 10% salary deferral over the same time period.

However they could get 5% of that deferral back depending on further discussions in December or January.

Players on salaries under €25,000 will not have their pay cut – or deferred.

Union bosses had wanted the pros to take a straight 20% cut and the players weren’t happy the IRFU stance was leaked in the media before talks got underway.

“Look it’s tough, if I put myself into the players’ shoes, what would I be thinking, looking at what’s going on Leicester Tigers over the last couple of months, where players are leaving because of pay cuts,” said former Ulster and Ireland star Ferris (inset).

“But there has to be a level of loyalty to clubs and to the IRFU who have looked after the game over the last number of years.

“Players might have to suck it up and get on with it.

“Everyone is suffering at the minute financially and rugby players might have to suffer as well. If I was a player you would take the cut, you have to have that level of loyalty.”

The argument has been made that professional rugby can be a short career, with six years the average length.

“I understand that

100% completely as well,”

Ferris said. “But depending on whether you are a

€500 grand player or a €50 grand player, there’s a real difference.

“It’s obviously a bigger significance to those on smaller wages compared to lads who are on €500 grand and have been for a few years. Every player is slightly different.”

Talks during lockdown to try to devise a global calendar has Ferris wondering where the time will be found to play extra games.

Ferris has seen the reports of South Africa possibly coming on board with the Six Nations, and of more South African teams joining the PRO14, making it the PRO 16. “You never say never,” said Ferris.

“In terms of a PRO16 – if that’s what happened – it would draw a slightly new audience. But where do you fit all these games in?

“Bringing in more teams from South Africa means extra games in a season already packed, and I know the players would prefer less games, not more.

“So there’s a lot of work for the unions to do behind the scenes.

“A lot of these decisions come down to the money, to broadcasting rights, and we can see that with CVC Capital coming on board with the Six Nations and already with the PRO14. “There’s a lot of merit in the competitions we already have in the northern hemisphere, and the Six Nations is steeped in history.

“I’ve played in that tournament on numerous occasions and it’s fantastic. To win titles, to win Grand Slams, no one can take that away from you.

“People can say you’re afraid of change, but if it’s not broken, why fix it? Alter, yes, if you can make a competition better, but don’t just ditch it.”