Championship Rugby

[Which Tyler]

Weren't Genge, Itoje and Watson the most up in arms that salaries were reduced whilst rugby had no income?

"I don't care that my employers can't afford to pay... anyone. I DESERVE to be paid even more!"

[Mellsblue]

Not sure but Genge did try and start his own players union.

[FKAS]

Not sure but Genge did try and start his own players union.

He did and by the looks of it, has now succeeded.

His issue with the RPA was that it was funded by the RFU so was never keen on ruffling feathers to much. Bit of a conflict of interest was suggested.

[FKAS]

Weren't Genge, Itoje and Watson the most up in arms that salaries were reduced whilst rugby had no income?

"I don't care that my employers can't afford to pay... anyone. I DESERVE to be paid even more!"

To be fair their bills wouldn't have changed but mon-rugby income would have largely disappeared (appearance fees, sponsorship etc) at the same time the club were cutting up to 25% off the salary. You can understand why they'd not be happy about it.

Genge could have taken more money and gone overseas but didn't. Watson agreed a reduced contract at Bath before they pulled it on him.

It's a short career and the point Genge made at the time he originally suggested his new union was about how rugby isn't very good at marketing players is both true and would be good for the profile of the sport in general.

[Which Tyler]

Nor did the clubs' overheads (or barely)
A bankrupt club pays nothing to players, and when players (and non-payers) are being made unemployed all over the place, I have little sympathy for people earning several hundred grand being asked to take the same pay cut as those being paid a tenth as much.

IIRC PRL was mostly paid for by the RFU because the players themselves refused to pay enough to cut that cord. Which is again down to the players.

[Mellsblue]

Not sure but Genge did try and start his own players union.

He did and by the looks of it, has now succeeded.

His issue with the RPA was that it was funded by the RFU so was never keen on ruffling feathers to much. Bit of a conflict of interest was suggested.

As above, the funding argument is a red herring. I’ve done a bit of research and it not uncommon at all for the players union to be partly funded by the governing body, see Twitter link below for exhibit a. If Genge et al want that to change then they’ll either have to fund their new limited company themselves or increase/implement subscriptions for the people they are representing.

https://x.com/evans_marke/status/174294 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

[FKAS]

Nor did the clubs' overheads (or barely)
A bankrupt club pays nothing to players, and when players (and non-payers) are being made unemployed all over the place, I have little sympathy for people earning several hundred grand being asked to take the same pay cut as those being paid a tenth as much.

IIRC PRL was mostly paid for by the RFU because the players themselves refused to pay enough to cut that cord. Which is again down to the players.

Depends on the club. Not all clubs reduced the salaries of lower paid players.

The players do need to be realistic about looking after the clubs but at the same time most of them know this is their peak earning potential and after they retire they might struggle to earn a quarter of that they get now unless they've invested their money wisely.

[Banquo]

Nor did the clubs' overheads (or barely)
A bankrupt club pays nothing to players, and when players (and non-payers) are being made unemployed all over the place, I have little sympathy for people earning several hundred grand being asked to take the same pay cut as those being paid a tenth as much.

IIRC PRL was mostly paid for by the RFU because the players themselves refused to pay enough to cut that cord. Which is again down to the players.

....RFU money came from DCMS, ie us £260m for the game, £110m to PRL/Prem Clubs. But yes.

[Mellsblue]

Nottingham are fundraising to help pay for flood damage repair:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding ... =8Aj5ZqzYR

[francoisfou]

Nottingham are fundraising to help pay for flood damage repair:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding ... =8Aj5ZqzYR

I played at Notts a few times in the early 70s and have fond memories of a warm welcome so am more than happy to have contributed.

[Banquo]

Nottingham are fundraising to help pay for flood damage repair:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding ... =8Aj5ZqzYR

They've got folks on site day and night trying to pump away the water and get power up. Going to take them at least a fortnight to be sorted at this point. Very difficult for them.

[Mellsblue]

Latest statement:

https://x.com/champclubspod/status/1745 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

[Mellsblue]

Jamie George is on the latest The Ruck podcast and answered a few questions on the new players rep company:
Very happy with the RPA in general, citing welfare reforms.
Being blindsided by the Netflix doc was the catalyst.
After that, the players wanted a full time rep and gave the RPA an opportunity to pitch for the role but they were unsuccessful.
Players are lobbying for the RPA to be involved in/a signatory to the Professional Game Agreement, as they currently aren’t.
Reading between the lines, the directors listed for the Ltd company are just the reps for the new body and not the owners. These reps were voted on by all the EPS.
The Ltd company will employ someone on a full time basis to look after their interests.

[Mellsblue]

Pu You’ve Changed Ja, feel free to put this player rep chat in another thread or standalone thread. It’s grown beyond an fyi post.

[Mellsblue]

Doncaster have brought Geech out of cryostasis to help Ford Jnr in a consultant capacity.

[FKAS]

Wow I don't think he's had a coaching job in more than a decade.

[Mellsblue]

‘Bedford Blues and Bristol Bears are set to do battle for the first time since 2018 as Pat Lam's side head to Goldington Road on Friday 1st March (KO 7:45pm).’

https://x.com/bedfordbluesrfc/status/17 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

It could get ugly. Lam has pretty much selected his strongest available team.

[FKAS]

‘Bedford Blues and Bristol Bears are set to do battle for the first time since 2018 as Pat Lam's side head to Goldington Road on Friday 1st March (KO 7:45pm).’

https://x.com/bedfordbluesrfc/status/17 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

It could get ugly. Lam has pretty much selected his strongest available team.

Is he hoping them playing there will have the full finishing school effect and save his job?

[Mellsblue]

‘Bedford Blues and Bristol Bears are set to do battle for the first time since 2018 as Pat Lam's side head to Goldington Road on Friday 1st March (KO 7:45pm).’

https://x.com/bedfordbluesrfc/status/17 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

It could get ugly. Lam has pretty much selected his strongest available team.

Is he hoping them playing there will have the full finishing school effect and save his job?

It’s the only logical explanation.

[Banquo]

Doncaster have brought Geech out of cryostasis to help Ford Jnr in a consultant capacity.

It’s more about Doncaster’s drive to unify Yorkshire clubs behind them and help them become a prem club, and Geech would be a good figurehead at the club.

They’ve had a few sessions at Castle Park inviting clubs and Yorkshire luminaries along those lines.

[Mellsblue]

Doncaster have brought Geech out of cryostasis to help Ford Jnr in a consultant capacity.

It’s more about Doncaster’s drive to unify Yorkshire clubs behind them and help them become a prem club, and Geech would be a good figurehead at the club.

They’ve had a few sessions at Castle Park inviting clubs and Yorkshire luminaries along those lines.

Didn’t Geech lead the same/similar plan when Leeds Carnegie became Yorkshire Carnegie?

[FKAS]

Doncaster have brought Geech out of cryostasis to help Ford Jnr in a consultant capacity.

It’s more about Doncaster’s drive to unify Yorkshire clubs behind them and help them become a prem club, and Geech would be a good figurehead at the club.

They’ve had a few sessions at Castle Park inviting clubs and Yorkshire luminaries along those lines.

Didn’t Geech lead the same/similar plan when Leeds Carnegie became Yorkshire Carnegie?

Wasn't he on the board or something at Leeds/Yorkshire though as opposed to being directly involved in the playing side of things?

[Mellsblue]

It’s more about Doncaster’s drive to unify Yorkshire clubs behind them and help them become a prem club, and Geech would be a good figurehead at the club.

They’ve had a few sessions at Castle Park inviting clubs and Yorkshire luminaries along those lines.

Didn’t Geech lead the same/similar plan when Leeds Carnegie became Yorkshire Carnegie?

Wasn't he on the board or something at Leeds/Yorkshire though as opposed to being directly involved in the playing side of things?

Yes, but I was responding to Banquo, who knows his stuff in this area, saying that it’s more a board level role than a coaching role.

[FKAS]

Didn’t Geech lead the same/similar plan when Leeds Carnegie became Yorkshire Carnegie?

Wasn't he on the board or something at Leeds/Yorkshire though as opposed to being directly involved in the playing side of things?

Yes, but I was responding to Banquo, who knows his stuff in this area, saying that it’s more a board level role than a coaching role.

Like

[Banquo]

Doncaster have brought Geech out of cryostasis to help Ford Jnr in a consultant capacity.

It’s more about Doncaster’s drive to unify Yorkshire clubs behind them and help them become a prem club, and Geech would be a good figurehead at the club.

They’ve had a few sessions at Castle Park inviting clubs and Yorkshire luminaries along those lines.

Didn’t Geech lead the same/similar plan when Leeds Carnegie became Yorkshire Carnegie?

Yep

Rinse repeat