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Rugby Union

Rugby deal ends player conflict

15/11/2007

English rugby union's ongoing club v country dispute has been resolved with a comprehensive agreement announced today.

Elite rugby director Rob Andrew described the deal between the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and players' organisation Premier Rugby (PRL) as "one of the most significant agreements… in the last ten to 12 years".

Under the terms of the agreement, which will apply from July 1st 2008 to June 30th 2016, 32 players for the senior England squad will be released 13 or 14 days before the start of the Six Nations and autumn internationals. Saxons and under-20s England players will also be released two weeks before each summer tour.

In reply the RFU will pay PRL a total of £102 million over the eight-year period, rising to around £110 million after ticket sales from a fourth autumn international in alternate years.

The PR will be responsible for negotiating its TV deals, while a professional game board will be established "to oversee the professional game".

The wideranging agreement also incorporates new practices covering finance and funding matters, the introduction of a medical protocol and the development of RFU academies.

RFU chief executive Francis Bacon said: "We have secured an agreement which both gives the national side the strongest platform it has ever had to maintain and build on its success, while maintaining the integrity of our excellent club game."

And PRL counterpart Mark McCafferty added: "[The agreement] protects and develops the Guinness Premiership, the most competitive league in the world and supports the continuing success of our clubs in Europe. Both are the foundations for international success."