Money row is turning best league in world into a joke

Remember that song that starts ‘There may be trouble ahead’? Well when it comes to the Premiership and the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA), I don’t think there’s any ‘may’ about it – it looks as though we’re headed for a full-on clash, and there won’t be any winners.

- COLIN BOAG

When the pandemic hit, the clubs, in an uncoordinated way, imposed/agreed 25 per cent pay cuts for their players. It was understandable that they did so because, with no revenue coming in, their business model was shot to pieces, and they couldn’t afford to have the same level of expenditure as before. However, it was typical PRL that the conversations took place at a club level rather than collectively, and that’s at the heart of the current problem. In the end, the players went along with it – in reality, they had no choice – but the way it was handled left a sour taste.