By Kath 23/7/03
July 23 2003

It would seem that harmony is now back in the camp in particular over issues of prize money, image rights and other related rugby concerns.

These all would appear to  have  been hammered out with the players and their representatives on Monday evening.

Damian Hopley, CEO of the Player's Association stated,

"We are indebted for the help and co-operation of the England team and management throughout this difficult process.

"This was never a matter of getting more money for the squad from the RFU, as the terms of their RWC payments were agreed a couple of years ago. The issues focused on matters such as use of the player's image rights, and the absence of prize money at the event, despite projected profits of over £50m.

"Valuable lessons have been learnt and we look forward to entering into dialogue with the International Rugby Board (IRB) at an early juncture to ensure that the build up to RWC 2007 is conducted with meaningful input from the players."

 

So its full steam ahead and nothing to hold the England Camp back from getting on with  the main issue – training for the World Cup Warm Up Matches.

This week saw the players who had been on Tour to the Southern Hemisphere link up at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot.   The players who toured Canada and Japan and selected in Clive’s 43 squad, will join up with them next Monday 28^th July,