Rugby chief fears player exodus to French clubs

Lured abroad: England stars such as Jonny Wilkinson, who plays for French club Toulon, are choosing more lucrative moves abroad, causing some to question the RFU salary cap
10 April 2012

Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley has urged his members to look beyond the financial rewards when considering whether to join a French club.

Hopley admits the possibility of an exodus of top internationals across the Channel remains a concern in the English game.

Big-spending clubs in the French Top 14, many of whom are bankrolled by wealthy benefactors, operate on twice the £4million salary cap in place in the Aviva Premiership.

Hopley accepts the money may be attractive, but has urged players to look at the whole package.

"Half of the clubs would like to see the salary cap raised, the other half would like to see it reduced," he said.

"The bottom line is we must live within our means because we are in the midst of an enormous recession.

"How do we pay within our means yet retain the best players?

"It's a difficult balance because if someone is being offered treble their money from a French club, it's going to be hard to turn down. You're always one injury away from the end of your career.

"But there are mixed stories coming back from France, so it's as much about the environment and support off the field as the bottom line.

"Sometimes players have gone to France and been unhappy and their family has been unhappy too."

England recently declared they would only select overseas-based players in "exceptional circumstances" after next year's World Cup.

Hopley understands the position and has reminded RPA members to consider the consequences if they do leave the Aviva Premiership.

"The announcement by England was a bit heavy-handed but we believe it will force players to make a decision sooner rather than later," he said.

"If this is what it takes to get the best results from England at the 2015 World Cup, then that's the price players will have to pay."

See Saracens and boost our fund

Saracens' clash with London Wasps at Wembley is the highlight of the Boxing Day rugby programme and will provide a boost to the Evening Standard's Dispossessed Fund.

The club will give the proceeds from thousands of ticket sales to the initiative, which they have adopted as their charity for the season.

Tickets, costing just £10 for adults and £5 for
under-16s, are available from Ticketmaster, who have agreed to waive their fee.

The Aviva Premiership side are also selling Saracens Santa Hats online and at home games throughout the month with profits going to the Dispossessed Fund, which is focused on lifting Londoners out of poverty.

For tickets go to www.standard.co.uk/saracens

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