Unpaid Tier 2 players may have contracts cancelled

ON-LOAN Leicester wing David Williams claims Championship players are going unpaid as tier two clubs battle with the financially crippling effects of coronavirus.

- NEALE HARVEY

With the 2020/21 Championship campaign unlikely to start before mid-December – and even then only if crowds are allowed – players fear contracts may be cancelled.

The Rugby Paper is aware of one player left in limbo because a job offer outside rugby has failed to materialise, while others have yet to resume proper training.

Nottingham flyer Williams has found a welcome bolthole at Leicester, where he has made a strong start in the Premiership, boosting his chances of a full contract.

However, he says RFU funding cutbacks last February, followed by the onset of Covid-19, have left the careers of numerous Championship players in the balance.

Nottingham have gone part-time and Williams said: “Initially, the rumors of going part-time came in February when RFU cuts were announced.