A new deal between the RFU and Premier Rugby is set to be announced at the end of the month as the heads of agreement edge closer after months of negotiations.
And England head coach Eddie Jones has voiced his pleasure at the proposed deal after previous concerns surrounded the availability of English stars when selected for the national side.
As reported by The Guardian, Jones had previously criticised the system in place between the RFU and PRL following England’s dismal elimination from the 2015 Rugby World Cup, stating:
How can you manage your players when they are controlled by other organisations?
However, following his appointment as head coach the national side have enjoyed unfathomable success under the 56-year-old, culminating in having won their last 10 Test matches – bettered only by New Zealand’s 11 consecutive Test wins.
And with a new deal set to be announced Jones may finally be able to usurp New Zealand from the top of the rankings list as the deal stipulates that England players can expect two compulsory rest weekends outside of Test windows – in place of the previous optional rest weekends proposed by previous head coach, Stuart Lancaster.
Yet the deal, which has been close to announcement since April has met a number of stumbling blocks – mostly in the form of a newly proposed play-off system between the Premiership and Championship. Previous talks had mooted the option of a straight play-off between the bottom-placed side in the Premiership and the winner of the Championship, which proved to be unpopular with voters.
Alistair Bow, the chairman of Bedford, said:
The majority of the Championship clubs believe the play-off system is hugely important, not only financially but to the sponsors, the supporters and rugby in general.
There would need to be substantial compensation for those play-offs to disappear.
Therefore, Jones may have to wait a while longer yet before he can secure a favourable deal for his stars as the RFU and PRL continue to hold talks.
