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Rugby Union

Player strike mooted over Euro rugby row

17/04/2007

The Professional Rugby Players' Association (PRA) has warned that it may ballot its members over strike action if the dispute over the future of European club rugby is not resolved soon.

A stand-off between Premier Rugby (PRL) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) over ownership and voting rights has been rumbling on for several months now and it seems the PRA is becoming increasingly discontent with the situation.

And a resolution to the problem still seems a long way off after the English league clubs chose to join the French in boycotting next season's Heineken Cup and EDF Energy Cup over the dispute.

The chief executive of the PRA, Damian Hopley, has now added player power to the mix, saying strike action in England could be a possibility if the dispute continues to drive a wedge between the various governing bodies in European rugby.

"If revolution is the only language that people can understand, then maybe we will have to ballot our members and see if they are willing to take strike action," Hopley said.

"If common sense doesn't prevail, then where else can you turn? The game is not so much shooting itself in the foot, as blowing off both feet."

Hopley complained of the "Jerry Springer-type washing of dirty linen in public" and urged the authorities to resolve their differences quickly in order to bring the focus back onto the rugby itself.

"To think that all this squabbling is taking place against such a thrilling backdrop," he added.

"Leicester win the EDF Energy Cup on Sunday, there are three English sides in the Heineken Cup semi-finals this weekend, and then we have the most exciting final day of Premiership rugby we've ever had.

"The players have certainly kept their side of the deal."

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