Rugby evening headlines as England star fears for the future with 'nearly 100 players' out of work amid 'toughest ever' transfer period

Your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday, June 7.

England star Kyle Sinckler has warned of 'worrying times ahead' as the financial pinch is felt in the Gallagher Premiership.

The Welsh regions have culled around 50 players this summer as they all trim their squads to deal with the financial issues that the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated in Wales. But English rugby has also had to react and the salary cap in the Gallagher Premiership has been reduced.

This has led to clubs in that league also having to be far more selective when it comes to squad sizes.

Sinckler warned on Twitter that nearly 100 players were out of work.

"Nearly 100 Premiership rugby players will now be without a club for the 22/23 season.," he wrote. "Nothing to do with their rugby ability just finances. Worrying times ahead."

Former Dragons boss Bernard Jackman added: "This is the toughest transfer window I have ever seen in pro rugby. So many excellent players & great professionals will drop out of the game. Really reinforces how important it is players plan for live after rugby while playing."

United Rugby Championship team of the season confirmed as Welsh players miss out

Wayne Pivac has turned to little-known Saracens prop Sam Wainwright to tour South Africa after losing Dragons tight-head Leon Brown.

Wales regular Brown arrived in camp with nerve damage in his shoulder and has been unable to convince medics that he'll be fit in time for one of the toughest front-five assignments in rugby.

Wainwright will now face one of the steepest learning curves of his career, even if he doesn't see any action. He has played just eight games for Saracens in the Premiership or Challenge Cup, with all appearances coming off the bench.

Full story here.

The SRU