Do Players Need Protecting From Themselves By Nick Heath

Following the first weekend of Aviva Premiership action, two high profile players have suffered injuries with Tom Homer out for at least eight weeks and Ugo Monye out until at least January. The stresses and strains of playing rugby at the highest level can clearly take their toll which raises the question of whether today's players are suitably protected – from themselves as much as the demands made on them.

A quick look at the rugby calendar for the coming months shows little let-up for those playing at the top. The tighter, more competitive new European Champions Cup begins in October with two consecutive opening weekends, followed by four weekends of autumn internationals. When players return to their clubs, they are straight back into another two weeks of European action – effectively eight solid weeks of bruising encounters pitting the best players in the game against each other.

Salivating rugby fans cannot wait for this feast to arrive but comments this week from Damian Hopley, CEO of the Rugby Players Association were categoric. Hopley said, “I dont think we do enough to help our players. We, through the International Players Assocation put a proposal to the IRB and its member nations that we should put the season back by a month to start in October. The benefits really are that Super Rugby gets to play all the way through and doesn't stop-start and the best could play the best in terms of the southern hemisphere tours.”

“I think sometimes you've got very polar opinions between clubs and national unions,” Hopley continued, “From a player perspective I think if you get the player welfare bit right then the commercial piece will follow. I think we've got to lead with player welfare and get the structure of the season right.”

Marland Yarde is one of the potential England players who could be in for the long haul in terms of a relentless schedule over the coming twenty or so months. He remains buoyant as he settles into his new club Harlequins, particularly after they beat his old club London Irish last Saturday at Twickenham.

Yarde said, “Look I've always said I love playing rugby and that's just part and parcel. We're very fortunate for what we do and it's an exciting period of time. To be honest I'm not sure if I want a break really – I want to keep playing and keep enjoying myself.”

As for an the IRB, CEO Brett Gosper responded saying, “We dont have a solution yet. There are some innovative scenarios kicking around but there is a good appetite for change that would hopefully be good for clubs and for unions.”