Report: England finally settle wage dispute
NEWS: England players have agreed to take a 25 percent salary cut in their new one-year deal with the Rugby Football Union to make amends for the financial crisis created by the pandemic coronavirus.
According to the PA news agency, England’s stars will be paid a reduced match fee of £17,250.
The poor financial outlook at Twickenham caused by COVID-19 has resulted in the revised amount, representing a £5,750 decrease on the previous figure of £23,000, being agreed with players.
Even allowing for the new, lower, match fee England internationals remain the highest paid in the sport.
The payment covers appearances, training and image rights and will take effect from October when Eddie Jones’ men play their first meaningful game since March by travelling to Rome to face Italy to complete their 2020 Six Nations campaign.
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The Azzurri clash had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic but all Championship matches are due to be completed before the autumn matches begin in November.
COVID-19 is forcing the RFU to make around a quarter of its workforce redundant amid projections that it will lose £107million in a downturn lasting five years.
All levels at Twickenham are facing cuts, including Jones who has agreed to a 25 percent salary reduction during the crisis and is having to work with a reduced budget.
Source: PA & Rugbypass
