Rest and preparation periods 2005/06

RFU Performance Director, Chris Spice , said “While we understand the concerns of the Guinness Premiership clubs and we have been discussing these over the last couple of months, we reached an agreement with Premier Rugby Ltd for the 11 week rest period in June 2004 as part of the four year Elite Player Squad contract.

“The 11 weeks is vital to ensure that the players’ welfare is considered and that they have an adequate period of rest during the close season.  It’s also worth remembering that as part of the same 2004 agreement an RFU financial incentive package, worth an additional £1m per annum, was put in place for clubs to recruit and develop English qualified players. The RFU paid the first tranche of the £1m to PRL in September 2004.

“A further agreement was reached on February 23rd 2005 , which was ratified at the England Rugby Ltd board meeting in March, to clarify the position relating to British & Irish Lions players to ensure that they too received an 11 week rest period. In addition it was agreed that the Lions would pay £15,000 compensation for every player involved on the tour to their respective clubs to ensure they received adequate rest and preparation for the season. 

“This agreement clearly states that players returning from the Lions tour should not play a full game of rugby within 11 weeks of their last game for the Lions. The RFU fully supported the 2005 tour and will continue to support future tours. The agreement was that between weeks 8 and 11 players involved could play three halves of rugby spread over the first three weekends of the season to help ease them into the season. Resting players appropriately is essential given the results of the recent injury audit (announced 1^st June 2005 ), conducted in partnership with PRL and the PRA, as player welfare must be a priority.

“However, the RFU understood the Premiership clubs’ concerns over a possible shortage of available players for the start of the 2005/06 season.  Therefore, the rest period for all players involved in the Churchill Cup and the U21 World Championships, was capped at 10 weeks to allow them to play on September 3rd.

“PRL informed the RFU on June 28^th that they could no longer support the agreement despite the fact that the Lions party had already left for their tour at the end of May. Since that time we have been in talks, which are continuing and we believe that it’s essential that we resolve this is sue and work on others in partnership with the clubs. Our position is clear and, like PRL, we want to conclude the matter as soon as possible and ahead of the season starting on September 3^rd.” 

England Head Coach, Andy Robinson said “Like Chris I have a lot of sympathy for the Directors of Rugby who understandably want to field their strongest possible sides but the agreement is in place and it is important that all parties support it.

“But we must remember that we are talking about elite athletes, who need to have a minimum recovery time to rest and recover from the previous season and prepare fully for the forthcoming season. It’s clear that this is a vital period for the players to make the necessary improvements in fitness and skills in order to perform at the appropriate level for club and country.  

“I also think it’s important that we look at the fact that 11 weeks is really a minimum rest period especially when you compare it with other nations’ players on the Lions tour. Ireland, for example, won’t be asking their Lions players to play again until September 17^th and Wales not until October 1^st.

“Further allowances have been made as players can play for 40 minutes or less, and this is not counted as a game. This is highlighted when Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks) and Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers) played for 20 and 35 minutes respectively against Auckland and this hasn’t been included as part of the 11 week rest period.

“As far as the RFU is concerned, and contrary to some of the comments I have read, the position is not confused. It has been clear since February.” 

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