Damian Hopley, chief executive of Rugby Players Association, has warned Rugby Football Union of England that they can face a legal challenge, if they do not consider revising their selection policy regarding overseas-based players.
RFU yesterday announced that only those players could get chance in the English national squad, who are playing in English Domestic Leagues. RFU’s new decision has put the international career of many English players at stake, who are playing domestic leagues
in other countries.
RFU is of the view that this move will provide England an opportunity to give chance to the new emerging talent and it will help to make a strong English team for the 2015 world cup, which will be held in England.
England’s three top players Jonny Wilkinson, James Haskell, Andrew Sheridan and Tom Palmer, who play in French domestic league, will be the most affected players, as they are regular member of English national squad.
Hopley, who was talking to media, said this new selection policy of RFU will affect the earning potential of players. Many players are getting handsome packages in the domestic leagues of other countries, who definitely want to play for their national side
as well but this situation has really caused them stress and now they seriously need to think about choosing one thing.
If players go for their national side, then they have to miss the high valued contracts and if they go for high valued contracts, then they have to miss their representation in English squad.
Furthermore, Hopley said, they are waiting for letter from players and if any players would like to take action, then Rugby Players Association will take strong action.
"We will be taking legal advice once we see the letter [sent to players by RFU chief executive John Steele] but I have no doubt if there was an appetite by an agent or a player to consider challenging this they would be on strong ground."
However, he said, he wouldn’t desire for any legal challenge against RFU, as he wants to see this problem solved in a good manner, which maximises the earning potential of the players and as well as valuable for both the parties.
He also gave one solution to fix this problem and that is to increase the salary range of the players, which is currently £4m and far less than the players are getting in other leagues.
Without a doubt, Hopley’s warning is a right step, as RFU’s recent change in selection policy isn’t a fair treatment for players, who are capable of getting better remuneration in overseas clubs and equally capable of playing in English national squad and
we hope both the parties will come to a fair agreement soon.
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