RFU bid to take control of England squad

13 April 2012

The RFU will today reveal plans to take control of the England squad at an annual cost around £10million.

The deal, which is part of the eight-year peace agreement hammered out between Twickenham and the Premiership clubs, will result in the Union paying the salaries of a 32-man national squad to be picked on an annual basis.

Under offer: England's rugby squad

It promises to end the vexed club-country conflict which has blighted English rugby since the advent of professionalism 12 years ago.

The 32 players will not be put under central contract because their contracts will be retained their club employers.

By agreeing to pay the players' salaries England will be able to impose rest periods on them during the season, most significantly before the autumn Test series and again before the Six Nations Championship in the spring.

In return the Premiership clubs will be paid an annual compensation expected to work out at more than £10m per season.

A scheme designed to encourage clubs to pick more English qualified players will also be outlined.

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