RFU vow to listen to leading players over burnout concerns

26 September 2017 02:54

New Rugby Football Union chief executive Steve Brown insists the concerns of players over the growing demands of the game must be heard and acknowledges the threat of strike action is real.

England stars Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs and Joe Marler have raised the possibility of going on strike in response to internationals facing an 11-month season as part of plans for the new global calender, which is to take effect from August 2020.

Vunipola, who on Sunday underwent a third major surgery in under a year, has been the most strident by claiming his body "could not handle" the physical toll and stating he would accept reduced income to play fewer games.

As the only stakeholder possessing contractual agreements with all groups - players, clubs and unions - the RFU is at the centre of negotiations.

Brown hopes an agreement will be reached by the end of the season and views player welfare as the biggest challenge of his Twickenham reign, which began three weeks ago.

"We have no game if we have no players. Players have always been central to the RFU, but we need to bring it to the fore much more now," Brown said.

"The players have a voice and we need to listen to them. They are saying what they think and what they feel about the current environment they're playing in. We need to take heed of that.

"Listening to the players, I can see two things emerging. It's not just the physical concerns, but also the mental demands and psychological pressures they are under.

"We need to understand all that and understand it properly. Facts, data, knowledge and listening are the key here.

"If it (strike action threat) is genuine, then it's a concern. We shouldn't be in that situation in this country so we have to find a solution for it. It's a concern and we can't ignore it.

"We need to listen to what they're saying, but what is agreed has ramifications for the whole structure of the game as well."

The players' gravest concern is over the prospect of an Aviva Premiership campaign that will run from September to June, with summer tours being held in August, thereby creating the unpalatable 11-month season for internationals.

Premiership Rugby claim the structure of the calendar will allow for breaks, but details are vague and the fear held among players is that they will be stretched to breaking point to satisfy the commercial demands of the game.

"It doesn't hang together very well at the moment. What we haven't done yet and what I haven't seen yet is an analysis of the real facts," Brown said.

"Let's understand what's happening with the players and the loading of players. Let's understand what the rest periods are and when they can occur.

"Let's look at the mix between our international players and other players within that and start to build a fact base to get through that.

"It's not an easy problem, it's going to be quite tricky and we may not always agree on it, but we'll find a way through it."

Seemingly at odds with Brown's pledge to listen to the views of players is the RFU's support for a club-led move to reduce the RBS 6 Nations from seven to six weeks, a change that would ratchet up the intensity of the competition due to the removal of one rest weekend.

The idea - opposed by players - has been voted down and Brown insists that backing was given due to a full appreciation for the wider plan for the season.

"We did vote to support it because of our understanding of the overall calendar. It wasn't supported, so it's done. The decision was made," Brown said.

"We're also listening to what the players are saying and they don't like the look of the reduction."

Brown, addressing the media for the first time since replacing Ian Ritchie, has outlined his broader vision for RFU and England during his reign.

"Perhaps in 2011 we weren't apologetic, but slightly reticent about being bold about winning, but we won't be going forward. We want to win and we want to win everything we're involved (in)," Brown said.

"Not just for the men's team but the women too and with every team we have. Our ambition is bold again - we want to be the strongest rugby union and strongest country for rugby across the globe.

"And to conclude, I don't think there's an excuse not to be that. It's my job to make sure that we deliver on that promise."

Source: PA