Barnes chairman: We are playing too much

BARNES chairman and former prop Michael Whitfield is concerned about the number of games players have been forced to play this season with the club’s relentless National Two East campaign accompanied by the inaugural RFU Papa John’s Community Cup.

Whitfield says the club’s overall squad of 50 is down to just 34 “fit” players spread across two teams and the players that can play are already overworked and unprepared for a new competition tagged on at the end of the season.

He said: “Those 34 players are knackered, many are carrying niggling injuries which need rest not more rugby. I talked to six of those 34 and they all rolled their eyes, they are ready for the season to end. Unless it is sevens, which the younger backs enjoy, they are simply not interested.”

Whitfield is also concerned with the increased travel costs, while pointing out that the national pool stage, playoff competition eats into teams’ pre-seasons and suggests it should instead be exclusive to 2nd XVs.

He added: “Whilst there is additional travel funding for over 98 miles what about the costs for games closer? Each coach hired has cost us an average of £500/600 this season. It’s already a 10-month season, with our pre-season starting in the last week of June.

“If the 2nd XVs of National 2 clubs could play it would give them more of a focus – 2nd team rugby is dying for many clubs, so this could be a way to help revive it.”

Whitfield says he’s not trying to ‘bash’ the RFU and praised the work they did during the pandemic, but he feels they need to show more empathy in order to truly represent all the clubs around the country.

He said: “I understand the RFU’s intention but it is not putting the players first. They said these changes were intended to reboot and re-energise community rugby, but the truth is that it may well do the opposite and turn players off.”