Releasing players for more Tests benefits whole game

MANY thanks to Jeff Probyn (TRP July 12) for highlighting the hypocrisy of Premiership clubs in invoking their contractual rights in refusing to release players for additional internationals, while forcing their players to accept cuts to their contracted salaries.

The former would benefit the whole game by improving the financial position of the governing body, while the latter furthers only the narrow interests of the clubs.

Looking further down the leagues, Gareth Dyer of Preston Grasshoppers deserves applause, too, for his proposals in last week’s paper for big cuts to pay caps/thresholds at Levels 3 to 5.

Unfortunately, I fear that vested interests at clubs with stronger finances, or richer backers will continue to frustrate any such proposals.

It is arguable that the greater commitment called for, as you move up the leagues, in terms of training and travel to more distant fixtures warrant a level of rising thresholds, but the current figures should, in my view, all be substantially reduced.

It is to be hoped that the downward pressure on player payments in the top two tiers of the game will start to filter down and reduce the temptation for young players to allow themselves to be “commoditised” by moving around in pursuit of more money.

Having said that, as long as many, many clubs see outside recruitment as the first option for achieving league success, they cannot be surprised that their home-grown players feel less loyalty, thus adding fuel to the merry go round.