ENGLAND RUGBY STRIKE THREAT IS REAL

PLAYERS’ union boss Damian Hopley last night claimed English rugby stars could go on strike. Billy Vunipola (left) revealed last week how players may down tools if the season is lengthened. Joe Marler publicly backed his England team-mate and Hopley, chief executive of the Rugby

Players Association, yesterday made it clear theirs were not isolated voices. “We can’t rule out strike action,” said Hopley (right). “We have to respond to what our members want and clearly that’s the ultimate sanction.

“The fact you’ve had half the England team talking about this unprompted by us sends a very clear message to every stake holder in the game how seriously they’re taking it.” The issue came to a head yesterday with the revelation an English club owner had proposed England and France play through a ‘rest’ weekend to complete their Six Nations campaign over six weeks rather than seven. France rejected the idea.