Youngs warns that players won’t put up with overcrowded fixture list
Ben Youngs has echoed the warnings issued by England team-mates Billy Vunipola and Joe Marler that players will go on strike if they are pushed beyond their capacity to play.
Vunipola has been the most outspoken on the demands of modern rugby, declaring his body “could not handle” the physical toll, expressing he would accept reduced income to play less and raising the possibility of strike action.
To cruelly underline his point, only three days after outlining his concerns the Saracens No 8 underwent major surgery for the third time in 11 months after damaging his right knee against Sale.
The operation has prevented him from attending England’s three-day training camp in Oxford, but reporting for duty while nursing injuries of varying severity are Mike Brown, Chris Robshaw, Marler, Marcus Smith, Dylan Hartley and Anthony Watson.
Negotiations over the new global calender are at a critical phase and there are murmurs of discontent among international players over the proposed 11-month season, which will take effect from 2020.
Youngs, the Leicester scrumhalf with 72 caps, insists the type of strike action last seen by Martin Johnson’s England in 2000 is a genuine option, but is confident that crisis will be averted.
“If it comes to that, guys will stand up for what they feel is right to protect themselves. Guys have been outspoken about it but that’s because they care about the length of their career,” he said.
“They don’t want it four years shorter. They want to be able to finish on their terms – they know their bodies. The salary cap has grown and with that more games are asked of us.
“It’s up to the guys with a calculator to come up with the sums and work out what needs to happen, while the scientists and doctors try to understand the toll on the body.
“As players, the guys do have that power [to strike] but I don’t think it’s something any player wants to get to.
It has been talked about but I am sure that sense will come.”