Premiership clubs refuse to negotiate with Rugby Players’ Association - report

The Premiership clubs have hit back at The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) over the pay dispute and are refusing to negotiate any further with the players’ union.

The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) declared on Wednesday that the players were ready for a “significant legal” battle over proposed wage reductionsbut the clubs have hit back today, declaring that they have a ”growing concern” that “individuals are not receiving appropriate advice” from the RPA.

According to the clubs, the RPA has missed deadlines to engage with Premiership Rugby and that they therefore left the clubs with “no choice” but to act alone.

The clubs’ statement released by The Times read: “The RPA urging players not to negotiate a compromise, privately threatening strike action and publicly opposing reductions without offering any feasible solutions has resulted in a predicament that suits nobody — not the league, the clubs, the player’s union or the players themselves.

“Rather than provide support for their members, the RPA have served to sow division and create uncertainty during a critical period that could define the future of professional rugby in the UK. While we accept that tough decisions have been made, we wholeheartedly believe that those choices have been taken in the best interests of the clubs, players and the long-term prosperity of the competition.”

The clubs’ statement is also a “call for togetherness and dialogue to help us to move forward”. However, the clubs no longer wish that dialogue to be with the RPA.

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