England part ways with RPA after 20 years

NEWS: The England team have ended their 20-year relationship with their union, the Rugby Players Association.

The RPA has represented England’s players since 2014 in negotiations over fees and commercial deals with the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

According to various media reports, the split follows plans by the RFU to introduce 25 hybrid contracts as part of the new Professional Game Partnership (PGP).

The hybrid or “enhanced “contracts would give the RFU closer control over player workload.

In an official statement, the RPA revealed that they will continue to represent England men until June and continue to support rugby players away from the England men’s side.

The statement added: “A current Elite Player Squad men’s representative has placed on record that the squad give the RPA their full backing in supporting players across the English game.”

While there have been reports of a new union emerging, the BBC revealed that no information on the new agency understood to represent the England men has yet been released.

RPA will continue to represent England’s women, although some of the Red Roses players are also represented by the Women’s Rugby Association (WRA).

The official statement below…

*Additional Source: BBC