RFU, Premiership, players' union reveal partnership plan

LONDON :The Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players Association revealed an eight-year plan on Wednesday that they say should align and strengthen the organisations across a host of areas after 18 months of wrangling.

The Men’s Professional Game Partnership (MPGP) aims "to create world-leading English international teams and thriving professional leagues with players and fans at the heart of it", the RFU said in a statement.

Among the developments is an enhanced England Playing Squad (EPS) from which coach Steve Borthwick will be able to select up to 25 players to prepare for internationals. He will also have the final say on all medical matters relating to them.

Those EPS players will be paid a set annual salary by England, on top of their club salaries, with those outside the EPS getting the traditional match fee for any international appearances.

In theory, Borthwick still does not have any power to influence selection for club games but, on the back of medical data, the practical outcome is likely to be that he does.

"This has been one of the areas that Conor (O'Shea of the RFU) and I have spent a lot of time trying to get right because it’s very easy as a concept but actually putting it into practice is a bit more difficult," Premiership Rugby Director Phil Winstanley told reporters at a Twickenham briefing.

"Steve Borthwick will have the final say on S&C and medical issues for those players in the enhanced EPS. Club directors of rugby will have final say on medical for the non-EPS and the question is 'how do we ensure what is a reasonable decision?"

INDEPENDENT ARBITER

In any cases of conflict, there is an independent arbiter from the PGB who could intervene, but it is not expected for that to be a