New Pay Deal For England Players.

England’s World Cup-winning players could have a
new four-year pay agreement in place before they head for Tests against New Zealand and Australia in June.

“We would be failing in our duty if we didn’t sort out a new
four-year deal
before the summer tour gets under way,” Damian Hopley, chief
executive of the
Professional Rugby Players Association, told the Evening Standard.

Negotiations to establish new payments to cover match fees and
image rights
with the Rugby Football Union and the leading Premiership clubs were
halted
after England’s Six Nations defeat by Ireland.

Head coach Clive Woodward, whose contract runs to the 2007 World
Cup, made
it clear the pay row had been an unwanted distraction, although
Hopley insists
it was not a major factor in the loss.

With the Six Nations out of the way, Hopley is confident a
four-year deal
will be struck to ensure the players go on tour knowing exactly what
playing
for England will be worth in terms of match fees and image rights up
to the
2007 Rugby World Cup.

“We are discussing match fees with Premier Rugby, who have a
pot of money
to share out for international duty and image rights with the
RFU,” Hopley
said.

” Everyone agrees it is vital we come to an agreement and I
am confident
this will happen. I don’t believe the issues were a major distraction
before
the Irish game and the players have dealt with much bigger problems
without
letting it affect their form.”

He said a four-year deal was necessary to allow every player who
comes into
the England team to know exactly what they will be entitled to.
“We don’t want any more grey areas,” he added.

AFP – 2004.