Exclusive: RFU Praise Players in England Elite Player Squad Negotiation
February 19, 2013
The CEO of Rugby Football Union (RFU) has praised the ‘professional’ nature of the England international squad, pharmacy during the England Elite Player Squad (EPS) negotiations.
The EPS agreement covers England senior, no rx Saxons and Under 20 squads and includes confirmation of squad and match fees and performance bonuses.
Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, medic Ian Ritchie, CEO of RFU praised the players and their agents for the smooth running of the negotiations.
Ritchie said: “Like any negotiation, of course we had some hard bargaining on both sides, but I think it was a very professional negotiation. I’ll give you one example; I thought it was particularly impressive from the players that they wanted egalitarian structures that gave the same payments to everybody in the squad, irrespective of the number of caps or who played where and when.
“The players were very professional, as were their representatives.”
Ritchie went on to add that whilst there is a “complete game” in the country, from the under eights, up to the senior international squad, it is the England team that takes priority.
“The ultimate shop window is the senior England team and the squad. I think it is very important that we recognise and deal very fairly with them,” Ritchie commented.
“I think it is very important to get a four-year deal which takes us beyond the Rugby World Cup and gives us some certainty. I have no doubt, talking to the players, that they are professional sportsmen and they do really want to play for England and they really do give it their all.
“Now with this deal, the money can be put in a drawer and we can just get on with the rest of it. I think it’s important to get it done for four years and then hopefully that will be the end of it until post the Rugby World Cup.”
Ritchie was speaking exclusively to iSportconnect about grassroots rugby, sponsorship deals, the Six Nations, preparing for the Rugby World Cup and more. Read the full article here >>