Rugby can emerge stronger, says Sweeney
RFU chief sees chance to ‘improve product’ in crisis Talks ongoing about player release system for England
In severely uncertain times for the professional game, Bill Sweeney, the Rugby Football Union chief executive, seems determined not to waste a crisis.
Speaking on Thursday, he promised that his governing body would make Twickenham available to the NHS “for any purpose they wish to use it for” in the fight against Covid-19.
The stadium has been suggested as a temporary medical facility, with the adjoining Marriott Hotel a potential dormitory for NHS workers and the North Car Park a drive-through test centre. “All of those are on the table,” Sweeney said. “We’re just waiting back to hear from them on what they will require, and I guess that is dependent on how they are managing the crisis.”
Despite the prospect of the RFU losing £50million, and perhaps more if Australia are unable to tour this autumn, a constructive attitude extended to a number of issues.
Even if “private equity markets have been turned on their heads”, to use Sweeney’s words, he does not foresee CVC Capital Partners’ £300million agreement for a 15 per cent stake in the Six Nations being derailed.
While the process has been “put on pause”, a new broadcast deal for the Six Nations is at its tender stage. Proposals are in from terrestrial and pay television and Sweeney is unconcerned that these revenues might dip. “We believe there is an opportunity for the entire game to emerge stronger at the end of this,” he added. “If that is the case, we are looking at an improved product which becomes more appealing from a broadcast point of view.”
Dialogue with World Rugby could bring about smoother alignment for the international calendar and a different model for sharing Test revenue. Sweeney is talking to Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs “at least every other day” and acknowledges that the league’s desire to finish its 2019-20 schedule could bring a “bottleneck” of fixtures that will require “compromise and collaboration”.
The task of player release is more complex because nobody knows which games will survive. England’s twomatch trip to Japan in July, for instance, is yet to be cancelled.
The four-year Elite Player Squad deal, which includes England’s £25,000 match fees, expires this summer. Sweeney recoiled at mention of central contracts, but aims to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement. “That phrase carries so much history, baggage and negativity, so I would not use that,” he said. “In the position we find ourselves in, we are looking at all sorts of different ways to operate.
“We have our EPS system and we are looking at how that functions and at all sorts of mechanisms, not only in the best interests of the international game but that work for club and country. It is only when both sides are realising a benefit that the whole game benefits.
“Every nation has a different system and ours is perhaps a hybrid. France is slightly different and Ireland is held up as being the model a lot aspire to, but it does not always entirely work either.
“We are governed by the PGA [Professional Game Agreement] and we are discussing issues around there. We will put in a system we believe is the best for English rugby.”
Highlighting Japan’s world ranking of ninth and their wins over Ireland and Scotland on the way to a World Cup quarter-final, England head coach Eddie Jones stressed that picking “the strongest side available” had always been his plan for the summer tour.
His own World Cup regulars had been due a rest because of player welfare guidelines. However, Jones hinted that a curtailed club season could bring a rethink on more senior players.
Also on the horizon for England is the question of Saracens players. Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Elliot Daly and Billy Vunipola – at least – will stay and play in the Championship, and hope to continue representing England and the Lions. “I think we can do something that will benefit those players for the rest of their careers,” Jones said.
“There is an opportunity to get them in the best condition. We will not miss that opportunity.”
George Kruis and Maro Itoje have been linked with moves abroad that would usually bar them from Test selection. “We would have to take each case on its individual merits and look into it,” said Sweeney, adding that “these really are exceptional times”.