LEICESTER TIGERS 2023/24 - Crocodile McKeller: Men at Work

[LtPigeon]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... -contract/

Watson to stay at Tigers (behind paywall)

[Rugbygramps]

Training contract ? That’s going to open a can of worms and maybe a few players asking why wasn’t I offered one of those ?

If it lowers Tigers wage bill then so much the better

[TigerXV]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... -contract/

Watson to stay at Tigers (behind paywall)

I can't see behind the paywall but I would be amazed if Borthwick has made his feelings known on this matter to anyone in the press. If he has spoken internally to the RFU he will be furious that it has been leaked in his name. My personal understanding is that Watson signed ages ago - whether that was a post WC contract or a continuation of his old contract I don't know

[MrG2]

Anthony Watson has become the first male England player to sign a training contract with the Rugby Football Union, paving the way for the wing to stay in the Premiership with Leicester Tigers after the World Cup.
Watson is listed as “unattached” in the latest England squad update issued on Monday but Telegraph Sport understands the 29-year-old will be paid directly by the RFU through to the end of the World Cup after his previous contract with Leicester expired. Tigers are in pole position to re-sign Watson following the tournament.
French clubs, including Castres, had been circling Watson and it is thought the RFU were encouraged to make their move at the behest of England head coach Steve Borthwick, who wanted to keep him in the Premiership – and thus available for selection – after the World Cup. Watson was one of the few shining lights for England in a Six Nations campaign in which they finished fourth.
RFU insiders are at pains to emphasise this is not the same as a central contract like in Ireland where the Irish Rugby Union directly pays the wages of its leading stars. Instead it was an act of short-term expediency after Watson’s deal with Leicester came to an end. As Telegraph Sport previously reported, Watson struggled to find his market value in the Premiership as a result of the minimal salary cap compensation clubs would receive during his lengthy absences in a World Cup season.
The move is not completely without precedent. Centre Ben Te’o was also offered a training contract before the 2019 World Cup, although that was rescinded when he was cut from Eddie Jones’ squad following his brawl with Mike Brown at a training camp in Treviso.
RFU and Leicester remain tight-lipped over deal
Yet the RFU is still playing with fire by signing Watson. Other Premiership clubs could perceive that the RFU are handing Leicester a unique advantage by paying for Watson’s absence during the World Cup. Such is the sensitivity of the subject that neither the RFU nor Leicester were prepared to comment upon the deal.
At the end of last season, Leicester were unable to re-sign Watson due to salary cap restraints, but the training contract and Harry Potter’s departure to Western Force have opened up the fund for Watson to remain at Welford Road. Leicester have already bolstered their back-three options with the signings of Ollie Hassell-Collins and Josh Bassett from London Irish and Harlequins, while veteran full-back Mike Brown will remain at the club as cover during the World Cup.
Telegraph Sport also understands the RFU is proposing establishing a ‘hybrid contract’ for England’s leading players. This would give Borthwick and the RFU more control and input into the playing and training load of his main players in return for greater compensation. At present all clubs are paid £40,000 for every player provided to England’s Elite Player Squad, regardless if they are an established starter or unused player.
Information sharing may be key to entente cordiale
Premiership Rugby certainly recognises there should be greater recompense for providing England’s leading players but many clubs are resistant to the idea of losing autonomy over a player’s schedule. There is an increased sense of collaboration with England and the clubs agreeing to employ the same GPS units so they can monitor data on each other’s watch.
A sign of the more cordial relationship is underscored by the fact they have rebranded the Professional Game Agreement, which determines relations between the RFU and Premiership Rugby, as the Professional Game Partnership. However, while there are many areas of alignment, there is still a considerable difference of opinion on the cost of the PGP which is due to begin in 2024.
Under the previous PGA which was signed in 2016, the RFU paid the clubs £112 million for the first four years, with the second four-year period being linked to the RFU’s financial performance. After losing three Premiership clubs last season, the league is pushing for greater revenue. The RFU, however, are adamant they will not imperil the funding of the community game to prop up the Premiership. If they were to match or increase their backing, they would want greater input, whether in the form of hybrid contracts or a direct running of the academy system.

[Scott1]

Hybrids contracts? Have the RFU timed their swoop perfectly?

[Old Hob]

Training contract ? That’s going to open a can of worms and maybe a few players asking why wasn’t I offered one of those ?

If it lowers Tigers wage bill then so much the better

A few clubs, too.

[sam16111986]

Training contract ? That’s going to open a can of worms and maybe a few players asking why wasn’t I offered one of those ?

If it lowers Tigers wage bill then so much the better

A few clubs, too.

Apparently there is a precedent with Ben Te'o being offered one in 2019 though that was rescinded after his brawl with Mike Brown.

[Ian Cant]

Tigers will no doubt argue that it’s only fair the RFU help us out a bit after taking nearly all of our coaches!
Secondly Tigers could argue that when Bath didn’t want Watson due to his current injury problem and England call ups they were the only ones to risk taking him.
A not too dissimilar thing happened with Matt Tait when he came to us but he wasn’t covered by England!

Lastly, other teams, including the French had their chance to sign Watson but no one seemed willing to meet his agent’s wage demands for a player who would be missing for 2 thirds of the Premiership.

[Rugbygramps]

Tigers will no doubt argue that it’s only fair the RFU help us out a bit after taking nearly all of our coaches!
Secondly Tigers could argue that when Bath didn’t want Watson due to his current injury problem and England call ups they were the only ones to risk taking him.
A not too dissimilar thing happened with Matt Tait when he came to us but he wasn’t covered by England!

Lastly, other teams, including the French had their chance to sign Watson but no one seemed willing to meet his agent’s wage demands for a player who would be missing for 2 thirds of the Premiership.

What is this with England took all our coaches. England offered Borthwick the job early because of Jones incompetence and Borthwick has taken his team with him gradually as he trusts and respects them.
No guns were held to heads no one was forced into leaving but unless you have been living under a rock the chance to coach a major national team is the pinnacle of a coach’s career and doesn’t come round that often.
I would also doubt that it is anyway related to the Watson issue

[westwinds31]

Whatever way you slice it, assuming that Watson is a Tigers player, it's a good thing.

[Rugbygramps]

Whatever way you slice it, assuming that Watson is a Tigers player, it's a good thing.

Need for a like button again

[Scott1]

So if I'm reading it right he's only our player till the end of the RWC for now?

[sam16111986]

So if I'm reading it right he's only our player till the end of the RWC for now?

The RFU are his employers until the end of the world cup and then his deal with Tigers starts.

[ads]

So if I'm reading it right he's only our player till the end of the RWC for now?

The RFU are his employers until the end of the world cup and then his deal with Tigers starts.

Have we had confirmation of this? Not doubting, just wondering?

[Scott1]

So if I'm reading it right he's only our player till the end of the RWC for now?

The RFU are his employers until the end of the world cup and then his deal with Tigers starts.

The piece says we are in pole position, so definitely confirmed then?