Rugby rejig stops strike

ENGLAND’S rugby rulers have averted a potential player strike by rejigging the domestic schedule from next season, building in compulsory rest periods.

The RFU, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) put their heads together following protests by the likes of Joe Marler and Billy Vunipola about their workload last year.

Those involved in next year’s World Cup will not be picked for the 2020 tour to Japan, and England stars in the South Africa-bound British & Irish Lions in 2021 will get a 10-week break.

RPA chief Damian Hopley said: “There was a huge amount of uproar from players who never speak about these things.”

■ BATH’S bid to have their European Champions Cup game replayed because the ref blew early in the 22-20 defeat by Toulouse has been thrown out.