National One clubs hit out at dual registration snub
ANGRY National One clubs have accused the RFU and Premiership Rugby of ‘damaging the integrity’ of their competition after a majority vote in favour of reducing the number of dual-registered players sides can field was rejected.
Last season, for the first time, National One clubs were allowed to select up to ten England Academy Players (EAPs) and three ‘loan’ players in match day squads of 20 – a figure many felt compromised the spirit of community rugby.
Loughborough Students were a major beneficiary, using their links with Leicester to bolster their squad, particularly towards the end of the season when they avoided relegation by three points, with Hull Ionians taking the drop.
Consequently, clubs voted 13-3 to revert to the previous season’s arrangement whereby National One sides could field four EAPs and three loan players. However, Premiership Rugby demanded the EAPs figure should remain at ten.
The RFU’s governance committee acceded to Premiership demands, albeit with a slight reduction from ten to eight EAPs – a ruling that has drawn criticism from the vast majority of clubs who voted to reduce dual-registration.
Andy Long, director of rugby at tier three side Bishop’s Stortford, told The
Rugby Paper: “Allowing four dual-registered players is perfect because it encourages our clubs to develop their own players, but eight or ten is way too many. We have a very strong link with Saracens and we’ll have some of their players next season, but we can’t get to the point where we look at eight or ten players because it completely changes the landscape.
“Our Saracens boys will add quality and be with us for a good block of games, but if you go beyond that what does it say to our existing lads who are told they can’t play? They’ll leave.”
Long added: “There’s an integrity issue as well. Hull Ionians were relegated by a small margin and Loughborough stayed up. How can that be right?”
Hull Ionians are still reeling from relegation, with their director of rugby Martyn Wood revealing that sponsors and players have jumped ship.
The former England scrum-half told TRP: “Players in Premiership academies need to play, I understand that. But what the RFU and Premiership Rugby are doing undermines the core values of sportsmanship and respect.
“The costs of keeping a club in National One are substantial and it takes a huge amount of effort from sponsors, players and coaches, so to then have Premiership Rugby dictating leaves a bad taste.
“If clubs had ten dualregistered throughout the season I wouldn’t have a problem, but to allow clubs to parachute players in when relegation issues are at stake damages the game’s integrity.”
Wood added: “I know the idea is to get young academy lads playing senior men’s rugby but it shouldn’t be at the cost of community rugby or the integrity of the leagues as a whole. It’s not inclusive, it’s a disaster.
“Relegation has cost us sponsors and players are leaving because they want to play in National One.”
Norman Robertson, chairman of the NCA, said: “To say I’m disappointed the Premiership should hold such sway is an understatement. Our clubs were prepared to compromise but their concerns have not been heeded.”