RFU reveals concern about English moves to French league
RFU concerned about impact of financial strength of French Top 14
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Tuesday, 17, Feb 2009 10:18
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is to hold consultations to discuss the impact on the English league of the financial strength of the French Top 14.
London Wasps announced today that a trio of England Senior Elite players - Riki Flutey, James Haskell and Tom Palmer - are to leave the Guinness Premiership to join French sides next season.
And with the exodus revealing the growing wage gulf between the English and French top divisions, as well as posing a potential problem for England coach Martin Johnson, the RFU has stressed it is aware of the transfers' recriminations.
"[The RFU] will be discussing internally and with Premier Rugby Ltd the possible long term effects on the English club game, the operation of the EPS programmes under the new eight year RFU/PRL agreement and the effect of the PRL 'revenue smoothing' arrangements on our clubs' abilities to remain competitive in the player market," said England Teams media director Richard Prescott.
"The policy matters involved will be discussed at the next scheduled RFU Management Board on Wednesday, February 25th and no further statement will be made until then."
With Top 14 sides not subject to the player release restrictions placed on Guinness Premiership sides, Johnson could face significant problems in the next season through reduced training time with major squad members.
The RFU agreed an eight-year deal worth £110 million last summer to improve England coach's access to squad members.
But with Haskell, Palmer, Flutey and Andy Goode already signed to Top 14 sides and Jonny Wilkinson a rumoured target, Johnson could be without important playing staff until the week leading up to a Test.
"It's an enormous worry for us," the RFU chairman, Martyn Thomas was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying.
"The French clubs pose a major danger. If we were to get to a situation where there are half-a-dozen players based over in France, it would undermine the whole concept of the elite player squad agreement.
"It's not something we envisaged when we sat down to thrash out the deal."