Post by observer on May 4, 2017 4:27:57 GMT
From a posting on Rolling Maul:
An article has appeared in todays Times which states that Nigel Melville's plans for a 'buddy up' system or at least an increase in the amount of D/R or loan players playing in the championship next season has been scuppered. PRL have decided to increase the number of 'A' league fixtures from 5 to 10 next season making the availability of academy players unlikely and it is thought this could cost Championship clubs £100,000.
Here is the article:
The RFU’s plans to generate more playing opportunities for the brightest young English talents have been thwarted by a move from Premiership clubs to double the size of the Aviva A League competition next season.
The expanded reserve team competition looks likely to place greater financial demands on clubs in the Greene King Championship, while jeopardising the loan system used by Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell, George Kruis and others on their path towards international honours.
While the RFU had been hoping to increase the movement of academy players on loan to Championship clubs, fewer players are now likely to be made available, with Premiership clubs insisting that their development will be better served under the eyes of their own coaches. At a board meeting last month, Premiership clubs voted to expand the A League programme from five matches to ten starting next season.
Nigel Melville, the RFU director of rugby, is understood to be incensed at a decision that scuppers his plan to create opportunities for academy players to experience senior rugby while reducing the wage bills of Championship clubs.
The move by Premiership Rugby is being seen in RFU circles as the latest attempt to broaden the clubs’ power base amid escalating tensions with the governing body. There is also understood to be strong resistance among RFU power brokers to the Premiership’s controversial plans to extend the club season by a month into June.
One source told The Times that Melville was “spitting feathers” at the clubs’ decision to cut across his plans.
Melville and Dean Ryan, the RFU head of international player development, have been alarmed at the lack of playing opportunities available to the 265 England-qualified players aged 18-24 who are contracted to Premiership academies. Melville’s plan envisaged formal feeder-club arrangements between Premiership clubs and neighbouring teams in the Championship.
The RFU had been aiming to increase the number of academy players on dual registrations from six to ten, but Championship clubs are now being told they will have “little or no access” to academy players next season.
An RFU spokesman said: “The increased movement of England academy players would enhance the development of players and their playing programmes and offers clubs the opportunity to take those players on loan to strengthen their own squads.”
Instead, Premiership clubs want to expand the A League from its sporadic Monday night programme of five matches spread over seven months. Next season, the clubs’ A teams will play one another home and away in the two regionalised conferences.
“Premiership Rugby clubs invest millions of pounds each year in their academies and that commitment has allowed our clubs to feed a conveyor belt of young English talent and keep the level of English-qualified players in the Premiership above 70 per cent,” a Premiership Rugby spokesman said. “We have a large group of talented young players who need the appropriate amount of game time. This change to the A League structure will help to accelerate their development under the guidance of their club coaches.”
The lack of loan players is likely to cost Championship clubs about £100,000, a figure few can afford. And at a time when Premiership clubs are fighting to control spiralling wages, they must also now find the playing resources for an expanded A League at a cost estimated by one Premiership club of about £400,000. There are fears that clubs will need to recruit local university players to make up the numbers.
An article has appeared in todays Times which states that Nigel Melville's plans for a 'buddy up' system or at least an increase in the amount of D/R or loan players playing in the championship next season has been scuppered. PRL have decided to increase the number of 'A' league fixtures from 5 to 10 next season making the availability of academy players unlikely and it is thought this could cost Championship clubs £100,000.
Here is the article:
The RFU’s plans to generate more playing opportunities for the brightest young English talents have been thwarted by a move from Premiership clubs to double the size of the Aviva A League competition next season.
The expanded reserve team competition looks likely to place greater financial demands on clubs in the Greene King Championship, while jeopardising the loan system used by Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell, George Kruis and others on their path towards international honours.
While the RFU had been hoping to increase the movement of academy players on loan to Championship clubs, fewer players are now likely to be made available, with Premiership clubs insisting that their development will be better served under the eyes of their own coaches. At a board meeting last month, Premiership clubs voted to expand the A League programme from five matches to ten starting next season.
Nigel Melville, the RFU director of rugby, is understood to be incensed at a decision that scuppers his plan to create opportunities for academy players to experience senior rugby while reducing the wage bills of Championship clubs.
The move by Premiership Rugby is being seen in RFU circles as the latest attempt to broaden the clubs’ power base amid escalating tensions with the governing body. There is also understood to be strong resistance among RFU power brokers to the Premiership’s controversial plans to extend the club season by a month into June.
One source told The Times that Melville was “spitting feathers” at the clubs’ decision to cut across his plans.
Melville and Dean Ryan, the RFU head of international player development, have been alarmed at the lack of playing opportunities available to the 265 England-qualified players aged 18-24 who are contracted to Premiership academies. Melville’s plan envisaged formal feeder-club arrangements between Premiership clubs and neighbouring teams in the Championship.
The RFU had been aiming to increase the number of academy players on dual registrations from six to ten, but Championship clubs are now being told they will have “little or no access” to academy players next season.
An RFU spokesman said: “The increased movement of England academy players would enhance the development of players and their playing programmes and offers clubs the opportunity to take those players on loan to strengthen their own squads.”
Instead, Premiership clubs want to expand the A League from its sporadic Monday night programme of five matches spread over seven months. Next season, the clubs’ A teams will play one another home and away in the two regionalised conferences.
“Premiership Rugby clubs invest millions of pounds each year in their academies and that commitment has allowed our clubs to feed a conveyor belt of young English talent and keep the level of English-qualified players in the Premiership above 70 per cent,” a Premiership Rugby spokesman said. “We have a large group of talented young players who need the appropriate amount of game time. This change to the A League structure will help to accelerate their development under the guidance of their club coaches.”
The lack of loan players is likely to cost Championship clubs about £100,000, a figure few can afford. And at a time when Premiership clubs are fighting to control spiralling wages, they must also now find the playing resources for an expanded A League at a cost estimated by one Premiership club of about £400,000. There are fears that clubs will need to recruit local university players to make up the numbers.
