The new England Contracts
It’s thoroughly good news that the RFU has unveiled new-style contracts for its Red Roses. There will be more of them (32, not 30), worth – according to some claims – a third more than before. Crucially they extend in range from one year to three.
That helps to overcome one of the biggest drawbacks in the previous system: the one-year contract gave a player no sort of certainty about the future. A loss of form, injury, or the advance of another player in the same position could jeopardise that income all too easily.
Despite another loss in a World Cup final England are carrying all before them. Few will dispute that they deserve every penny they are to be given. The highest salary figure I’ve seen posted is £49,600, which is beyond the imaginings of any player from the recent past.
I won’t repeat my concerns about professional rugby; they stare you in the face as you look at men’s rugby in 2023.
Doubts
There are some oddities about the announcement. First we won’t know the recipients till July. Why this half-and-half revelation? It’s reminiscent of the decisions about next year’s Allianz Premier 15s. A part-disclosure of intentions, then silence for a long period.
Second, John Mitchell, the incoming head coach, took part in discussions. It would have been fascinating to be a fly on the wall and discover what he actually knows about the current squad and the many players close to selection. How closely has he managed to bring himself to the women’s game in England while his prime responsibilities are the the Brave Blossoms’ forwards in Japan?
Of the remaining committee members only Sarah Hunter has long-term acquaintance with the players involved. The other three, Charlie Hayter, Louis Deacon and Lou Meadows, have been part of the scene for shorter periods, though Deacon has acquired considerable inside knowledge since assuming office.
A Game of Consequences
Then we come to the tricky part of the story. The English catchword during the 2023 Six Nations was ‘Grow the gap’. Staff and players were determined to ensure they stayed top of the pile. They did so by the skin of their teeth, surviving a late French revival to win the big game at Twickenham by a pencil-thin 5 points. They retained their No 1 world ranking too, just.
The question arises: how will the rest of the world catch up?
New Zealand has announced enhanced terms for the Black Ferns. 34 of them will receive full contracts, but they will be based at five different centres across North and South Islands.
We await news of other unions following suit. Hardly any of them have the money to throw at greater generosity. France may well be able to, with the 2023 World Cup likely to pour a good few euros into the FFR’s coffers.
But for les Bleues it’s decision time again. At the start of this year 32 ‘federal contracts’ were announced the same number as England now propose. The big question is whether they will continue with their present system of part-time contracts – some quote them as covering 50%, others 75% of a player’s life. With a new management in place, it’s perfectly possible that stern discussions are taking place at this moment to decide whether to stick to the ancien régime, or move to a system closer to the English one.
Players who have had to survive twelve consecutive losses to the Quinze de la Rose may think it’s high time for a change.
The weekend of 10 June could have provided the perfect moment for a big announcement. No fewer than seven finals took place in Bordeaux involving senior and age-group teams, culminating in the Elite final between Blagnac and Stade Bordelais (result: 23-27). French ambition is undimmed. News of improved terms for the national squad could hardly come at a better time.
Across the rest of the world the outlook is far less rosy. For the WXV to take off with all the fanfares it needs is costing World Rugby a pretty penny. Nations in South and North America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania all need a visit from Santa Claus with a full bag of treats on his shoulder.
The Future we all want?
The other Six Nations unions all have contracts in place, but it’s the small print that counts. How many are there all together? What are they worth? Is everyone paid the same, or are they on a sliding scale? What are the terms? How long are they valid? Above all: do they allow a player to devote herself completely to the game, or will she still need to moonlight elsewhere?
Will the Six Nations go on attracting new customers at the current rate, if the results become ever more inevitable? What are the odds against England winning the 2024 version, with Les Bleues the valiant runners-up? Excitement is brought by tight competition.
‘Grow the gap’ may please England fans as a concept, but, if it comes to pass, the rest of women’s rugby can only suffer.
