Players’ union rejects plans for longer season

The Rugby Players’ Association has “unanimously rejected” plans to extend the domestic season to 10 months – 11 months for international players – from the 2019-20 season.

After World Rugby announced a new global calendar in March, Premiership Rugby proposed extending the domestic season from early September through to the end of June. The Pro12 would maintain the current three-month off-season by starting its season in October. With internationals being staged in July, England players would only have a month without rugby.

Almost immediately the plans have come under fire from a host of leading players, including Courtney Lawes, George Ford, Chris Robshaw and Joe Marler. The RPA decided to wait until Premiership Rugby presented its plans to the players’ board.

Premiership Rugby argues that the safeguards of a mandatory fiveweek off-season introduced last year and a 32-game limit would remain in place. However, the players’ board were wholly unconvinced of the benefits of a reduced off-season with the RPA releasing a stronglyworded statement citing the physiological as well as physical strain it would place on its members.

Talks will begin again through the Professional Game Board, which also encompasses the Rugby Football Union which would have to approve any changes to the domestic season through a council vote.

It seems hard to envisage what compromise would satisfy all. The RPA chief executive, Damian Hopley, said: “The players’ board has spoken as one that we need to start again. Common sense has to prevail and find a solution where player welfare is categorically the No1 outcome. We need to get around a table and find a solution.”