RugbyRebels

The Rugby Players' Association has "unanimously rejected" proposals for an extended 10-month Premiership season.

Which is a big problem for the deal that tries to tie up the unions to some degree, and tbh kudos to the RPA and their stating the players need more time off, both mentally and physically. The powers that be keep saying player welfare is important, before acting in a manner that says the players are anything but important

Good news, but I'm not entirely sure how the circle can be squared. Moving the summer test window is wonderful for the SH, but screws us royally. The other alternatives are to have an off-season interrupted by July tests, or shift the season later and start in October (which was rubbish when the RWC forced it and takes away the chances of starting the season in September sunshine).

The only option I can see is to completely shift the season and start it after the 6N, so we play March till November, with a December and January off-season.

Puja

I'm not too worried about squaring the circle. Broadly I'd keep rugby a winter sport in both the NH and SH, yes that makes some test windows awkward but if the test teams don't like it don't play.

Does anyone have any idea what this means for University, amateur, semi-pro] and school rugby? When they say global season do they mean GLOBAL, or just for the elite leagues?

Just the top leagues and test sides

As far as I'm aware what they mean when they say global season is "we are now playing some tests in July".

Still can't work out what anyone from the north was actually lobbying for during these negotiations...cos we got nothing beyond a headache about when to start and finish our season.

Timbo wrote:As far as I'm aware what they mean when they say global season is "we are now playing some tests in July".

Still can't work out what anyone from the north was actually lobbying for during these negotiations...cos we got nothing beyond a headache about when to start and finish our season.

Indeed. So much so you'd almost think the NH negotiators knew the players would give the plan no chance.

Timbo wrote:As far as I'm aware what they mean when they say global season is "we are now playing some tests in July".

Still can't work out what anyone from the north was actually lobbying for during these negotiations...cos we got nothing beyond a headache about when to start and finish our season.

Commercially, we (England) carry all the aces. Why we don't make stronger demands in the negotiations is hard to understand. For example, a threat to withdraw from the Lions concept and a take-it-or-leave-it approach to AI fixtures would make the SH stop and think - simply by threatening their financial viability.

Oakboy wrote:

Timbo wrote:As far as I'm aware what they mean when they say global season is "we are now playing some tests in July".

Still can't work out what anyone from the north was actually lobbying for during these negotiations...cos we got nothing beyond a headache about when to start and finish our season.

Commercially, we (England) carry all the aces. Why we don't make stronger demands in the negotiations is hard to understand. For example, a threat to withdraw from the Lions concept and a take-it-or-leave-it approach to AI fixtures would make the SH stop and think - simply by threatening their financial viability.

Agreed. I'm not sure why we seem so in thrall to what the SH want

You make money by SH sides coming to Twickenham. If they don't then you lose not only money but also brand value. At some point some of you boys will realise that playing with yourself is not the way forward.

Digby wrote:I'm not too worried about squaring the circle. Broadly I'd keep rugby a winter sport in both the NH and SH, yes that makes some test windows awkward but if the test teams don't like it don't play.

This.

Peej wrote:

Oakboy wrote:

Timbo wrote:As far as I'm aware what they mean when they say global season is "we are now playing some tests in July".

Still can't work out what anyone from the north was actually lobbying for during these negotiations...cos we got nothing beyond a headache about when to start and finish our season.

Commercially, we (England) carry all the aces. Why we don't make stronger demands in the negotiations is hard to understand. For example, a threat to withdraw from the Lions concept and a take-it-or-leave-it approach to AI fixtures would make the SH stop and think - simply by threatening their financial viability.

Agreed. I'm not sure why we seem so in thrall to what the SH want

I reckon I know.

Premiership Rugby are basically taking a stance that the RPA doesn't know what's it done, and doesn't understand the processes which will be put in place. Consequently Prem Rugby intend to push ahead with the plans for the extended season and lobby the RPA to either shut up or basically be told it's too late for anything else to be done, certainly they're not minded to listen to the players as they've already got the big vision sorted.

PR expect the players at worst will realise down the line it's a fait accompli situation and not be willing to strike once all the logistics and commercial deals are in place.

PR no doubt have an entirely logical process around all this with Mark McCafferty in favour of cutting Lions tours to reduce player burnout, it being well known playing 2 extra games every 4 years from a squad of 40 is the problem, whilst at the same time wanting to invite South African teams to come into whatever we now call the domestic Anglo-Welsh cup

Is PR's plan to try and stop all other rugby so their product might be of interest to those little invested in their 'clubs'?

I don't know, I can only tell you they don't agree with the RPA that there's any need for the players to do other than go along with what the administrators decide, with an overriding assumption to administrators know better than the players. What PRL want to make of the global season isn't clear asthat's what they want to thrash out and then present to the players, but if PRL and others ignore the players concerns now they will be forcing either a fight or forcing the players to backdown once they've already signed such as TV deals.

Basically such as Mark McCafferty see no reason to go back to the board on what duration the global season should take, that part is for him already done, the players should shut up, and there would I assume be in his vision rest time built in for the players, though the RPA are saying it's not just physical and the players need more downtime to rest mentally between seasons