Danny Care believes hybrid contracts would be beneficial to English rugby if they succeed in keeping the nation’s stars in a financially viable Gallagher Premiership.
The Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby are at an advanced stage of negotiations to introduce an arrangement that would give England head coach Steve Borthwick greater control over a reported 20 members of his squad.
Apart from allowing Borthwick a say in how a player is managed and conditioned while on Premiership duty, the watered down form of central contracts would help clubs retain their England internationals in the face of the higher wages on offer overseas.
Extending Twickenham’s influence in this way would be a significant adjustment to the way the club-country partnership has worked since professionalism was introduced in 1995 – and Care can see the advantages.
“Is there one available for me?! Not sure I’ll see one!” scrum-half Care, 36, said from England’s World Cup camp in Le Touquet.
“We want to see English players playing in England, I’m definitely right in saying that.
“England need to have their best players in England and if there are ways that we can do it, which might help the club game and help the clubs be more sustainable, then I think the players would be on board with that. Hopefully that can be sorted.”
Borthwick is the driving force behind the plan to establish hybrid contracts as he looks to revive England’s fortunes.
Care insists elements of the plan that would form part of the new professional game agreement, such as joined up conditioning programmes and player development, began soon after he replaced Eddie Jones in December.
“Steve and the coaches are doing that already behind the scenes and they have been doing it since Steve took over the job,” Care said.
“If there was more structure to it that might help everyone but I know Steve is working hard behind the scenes to make sure the clubs are aligned and do the best thing for the players. The wheels are already in motion for that.”
The financial crisis gripping the English game has resulted in Wasps, Worcester and London Irish going out of business in the Premiership and Championship title holders Jersey Reds collapsing in the tier below.
While catastrophic for everyone directly affected, it has also presented the opportunity for the top flight to be restructured in a way that provides some benefits.
“With the club game going down to 10 teams it’s automatically going to be less games for the lads,” Care said.
“I’ve always pushed and been an advocate for Premiership games not to be played during the Six Nations window. Fans, clubs and everyone wants that.
“You want your best players playing and clubs want to have their best players available which helps everything in terms of TV revenue and fans coming to the stadium.
“Fans want to see Owen Farrell playing for Saracens as many times as he can. If there are ways and structures to do that, then I am all for them.
“I’ve said a few times that there are a lot clever, smarter people than me hopefully working on these decisions. Hopefully they get it right and the game in England can flourish.”
Top rugby player Api Ratuniyarawa facing jail after admitting sexual offences
Top rugby player Api Ratuniyarawa is facing jail after admitting a series of sexual offences committed days before he was due to play for the Barbarians.
The 37-year-old Fiji international appeared before Cardiff Crown Court and pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by penetration and one charge of sexual assault.
The lock had been due to be on the bench for the Barbarians against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on November 4.
The offences were committed against three women and took place between October 31 and November 2 this year, the court heard.
Ratuniyarawa, of The Orchard, Kislingbury, Northamptonshire, denied two further charges of sexual assault relating to one of the three women.
Prosecutors said the pleas were acceptable to the Crown and invited the court to fix a date for sentencing.
The father-of-four, who has also played for Northampton Saints and in France, has been without a club since Premiership club London Irish went into receivership in the summer, the court heard.
He was hoping his appearance for the Barbarians invitational side would lead to winning a new playing contract but has since been forced to apply for benefits.
Ruth Smith, defending, asked for the defendant to be released on bail and for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
“The defendant has been on conditional bail, and he is aware of the significance of his pleas and the type of sentence that flows from such pleas,” she said.
“He has been on very stringent conditions, and these are matters (that) arose out of primarily the consumption of alcohol.
“He is someone who has very fixed ties to the UK and has played rugby here for a significant number of years.
“His wife and four young children are resident here and have their own right to remain here and two of his children were born in the UK. He is not a flight risk.
“There are significant matters he needs to put in place for his family, not least to change the tenancy of their house over to his wife’s name as well as gather mitigation materials.
“The defendant is the sole breadwinner for the family. He was recently employed by London Irish who in fact unfortunately collapsed in May 2023 and was present in Cardiff to play in a Barbarians game.
“It was hoped a contract might flow from that, that of course because of these events, did not happen.
“Because of that, he has had to apply for benefits for his family. Again, those are not absolutely in place. He has various appointments in place in respect of securing financial stability for his family.”
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, The Recorder of Cardiff, released Ratuniyarawa on conditional bail.
This includes residing at his home address, abiding by an overnight curfew, reporting daily to his local police station, surrendering his passport, not entering any licenced premises and only travelling to Wales for appointments.
“Now you have pleaded guilty to these offences the case will be adjourned until January 9 next year for sentence,” she said.
“I am going to order a pre-sentence report but you should read nothing into that, neither should you read anything into the fact that I am going to release you on conditional bail.”
Ratuniyarawa was also placed on the sexual offenders’ register.
Kevin Sinfield greeted by Sir Gareth Edwards after latest fundraising challenge
Kevin Sinfield was greeted by Welsh rugby union great Sir Gareth Edwards as he completed the latest of seven back-to-back ultra marathons in aid of research and support for those living with Motor Neurone Disease in Cardiff.
Sinfield was greeted by Edwards on the pitch at Cardiff Arms Park during half-time in the United Rugby Championship match against Scarlets, which the visitors won 29-23.
Afterwards Sinfield, whose latest fund-raising feat ticked over the quarter of a million pound mark in the course of its second day, hailed his welcome in the Welsh capital as one of the best he has experienced.
Speaking to members of the Cardiff squad, Sinfield said: “Over the last few years we’ve been to some pretty special places and we’ve run in some pretty amazing cities, but the welcome the team has had today in Cardiff has been as good as anywhere.
“Don’t under-estimate the friends you have in here, the bonds that you get playing rugby of either code is something that not many sports give you.
“Win or lose, there will come a point where you can’t play any more for whatever reason. You look after each other when you cross the line, and for the rest of your lives you need to look after each other as well.”
Sinfield’s fourth fundraising challenge takes him on to Birmingham on Sunday, beginning at Alexander Stadium and calling at St Andrews, Villa Park and Edgbaston before concluding in Centenary Square on Sunday afternoon.
He will then move on to undertake routes around Edinburgh, Dublin and Brighton, before concluding with a route that takes him up The Mall in London next week.
Since starting his ultra-marathon quest in 2020, the 43-year-old has raised over £8million to help fund research and help those with the disease, and he has vowed he will continue to undertake his marathon quest until a cure can be found.
:: To donate to Kevin Sinfield’s 7 in 7 in 7 quest, see https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield
Bristol blow Gloucester away for derby delight
Bristol ended their run of five Premiership defeats by thumping Gloucester 51-26 in a one-sided West Country derby.
The Bears led 41-7 early in the second half before relaxing to allow Gloucester a hint of respectability, but for most of the match they were comfortably outplayed.
Bristol’s points tally was the highest they had achieved against their opponents in 59 league fixtures between the clubs as Gloucester fell to their sixth consecutive defeat.
Livewire Harry Randall scored two of their tries while Max Malins, Ellis Genge, Fitz Harding, Joe Batley and Harry Thacker also got in on the act. Callum Sheedy kicked four conversions and a penalty, with James Williams also adding a conversion and a penalty.
Louis Rees-Zammit and Jamal Ford-Robinson both scored two tries for Gloucester with Santiago Carreras converting three.
Bristol had much the better of early possession and territory but basic handling errors at crucial times prevented them from capitalising.
Their pressure eventually told when Gloucester lost possession at a five-metre scrum for Malins to collect a well-judged chip ahead from Virimi Vakatawa to score.
Sheedy missed the conversion before turning down a kickable penalty in favour of more attacking options and it paid dividends when Genge finished off a succession of forward drives.
Straight from the restart, Thacker burst away on a 50m run into the opposition 22 and another Bristol try looked likely but Rich Lane was forced into touch just short of the line.
The visitors suffered two further blows in quick succession as prop Mayco Vivas departed with a leg injury before Randall darted away from a ruck to score the Bears’ third try.
On the half-hour, the hosts scored their bonus-point try. A neat off-load from Kyle Sinckler sent Dan Thomas through a huge gap and skipper Harding was on hand for the scoring pass.
Sheedy converted and added a penalty before Gloucester conjured up their first attack in the 38th minute.
A burst from Ruan Ackermann gave Rees-Zammit an opportunity and the wing won a line-out in the Bristol 22.
Gloucester secured possession from it and Rees-Zammit powered past two defenders to force his way over to leave his side trailing 29-7 at the interval.
Within 40 seconds of the restart, the home side extended their advantage when Randall quickly took a penalty before kicking ahead and winning the race to touch down for an excellent solo try.
Bristol’s sixth came from Batley, who muscled over from close range before the home side took their foot off the gas by replacing both half-backs, Sheedy and Randall.
Gloucester immediately responded with three tries in quick succession with Rees-Zammit flying over in the corner before Ford-Robinson twice powered over from close range.
Gloucester reduced the deficit to 15 points but Ackermann was yellow carded for collapsing a driving maul which enabled Thacker to seal victory from a line-out drive, with a last-minute penalty from Williams putting the icing on the cake.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
