Marquee players could take bigger hit

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME

- JEFF PROBYN

When the chips are down and the pressure increases, why is it that money is always the topic that exposes what people are really like?

Loyalty and understanding should count for something but, unfortunately in the modern world of professional sport, it’s all about the money.

With all Premiership clubs seeking to reduce costs by cutting players’ wages, it could seem a fair thing to do with everyone sharing the burden, but that is not the case.

If you take the view that an average Premiership player, not an international or marquee player, earns around £120,000 gross a year that could be between £65 to £80 grand nett after tax etc. The loss of 25 per cent of their wages is a substantial amount that could have a serious impact on their families.