By George, Gloucester take coach fight to Irish
ROW OVER SKIVINGTON
WAKEFIELD winger Lee Kershaw has been delivering parcels to make ends meet during lockdown – as a contract rule threatens to force him out of rugby league altogether.
The 21-year-old’s current deal at Trinity sees him earning less than the minimum wage per hour and he has turned down a marginal pay rise at the club.
Rugby league rules mean that Wakefield can still demand a fee for Kershaw should he join a rival club – a stance that they have made publicly clear.
The situation has left the player considering his future in the sport amid interest from rugby union.
In the meantime, he has continued to deliver parcels around his local area after accepting the club’s pay cut terms during lockdown.
Kershaw said: “I still live at home but I couldn’t ask my parents for money after years of looking after me.
“I got a job through a mate working for Hermes to try to earn a bit extra.
“At first it was stressful but it’s been good and I think I’ll carry on doing it.
“Even before we were furloughed I was working in a bar once a week to earn a little bit extra because mates my age were out doing things that I couldn’t.
“I love playing rugby and would do it forever if I could.
“But I don’t have a lot to show for it so far.
“I thought I was doing well at Wakefield and I got told that at the end-of-year review, although I know I’ve got things to work on. I understand that it’s a business but I thought if Wakefield felt I’m a good player and was progressing well then they’d offer me a decent contract.
“If they didn’t think I was, then they’d let me go.
“Instead I got a contract offer that was nowhere near me thinking about saying yes, but I’m trapped because they can demand a fee for me.”
Kershaw – who has played six times in Super League as well as on loan at League One Oldham – is now considering offers from the 15-man code.
He added: “I’m only young and if that’s a path I’ve got to go down then maybe I’ll have to take it.
“It’s not pleasant but if the rule doesn’t change what can I do about it?”
GLOUCESTER have denied claims by London Irish of improper conduct after they announced George Skivington as their new head coach.
The Exiles insisted that the Cherry and Whites breached the Premiership’s code of conduct by failing to inform them of an approach.
Forwards coach Skivington (above) had a deal with
Irish until next year.
But Gloucester hit back, claiming Irish failed to respond to a request for clarification over Skivington’s contract – and urging negotiations through official channels.
In a statement Gloucester said they understood Skivington was not restricted contractually from joining the club.
The Kingsholm outfit said: “Gloucester Rugby, nevertheless, directly and straightforwardly sought clarification of London Irish’s position.
“That clarification has not been forthcoming.
“Gloucester Rugby is therefore surprised and disappointed by both the contents of the statement from London Irish, and the forum in which it was released, not least in view of the proactive efforts made by Gloucester Rugby during the course of this week.”
Following Skivington’s appointment on Friday in place of Johan Ackermann (inset), Irish chief executive Brian Facer said: “Protocols are clear that a club must be approached in writing when there are more than six months remaining on the relevant contract.
“Regardless of whether it is a player or coach.”