Jonny May takes aim at RFU ‘mess’ over hybrid contracts amidst sluggish negotiations

Henry-Arundell-and-Jonny-May-England-training-RWC-2023-Alamy

Ex-England wing Jonny May insists that a lot needs to be ironed out if the Rugby Football Union’s hybrid contract idea is to be implemented.

Due to financial issues within England and the subsequent departure of potential Red Rose players such as Henry Arundell and Jack Willis to France, the governing body has looked at ways of changing the system.

The RFU have insisted on maintaining the law which prevents foreign-based Englishmen from representing the national team, which means they have looked at alternative ideas.

They are desperate to keep the best players in the country and that ultimately means providing them with more financial incentives to remain in the Premiership.

Departing players

At the moment, the money in France and Japan dwarfs that of England’s top-flight, with the likes of Kyle Sinckler, Lewis Ludlam and Courtney Lawes heading across the Channel next season.

Former captain Owen Farrell, who stepped down from Test duty ahead of the Six Nations to protect his and his family’s mental health, has also signed a deal in the Top 14.

These hybrid contracts, of which up to 25 could be awarded, are intended to stop that exodus from happening, but May is not convinced by the proposal.

“I think it is quite a mess. There are new contracts which need sorting, there are players who have been out of contract,” he told The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.

“Is there a hybrid contract? Is there not? If there is a hybrid contract, how many players are there on the hybrid contract?

“There’s talk of the RFU doing their S&C and medical (as part of the terms of the hybrid contract), but how do you enforce that? Clubs pay them, so I don’t see how that works.

“How much are they going to be paid? When is it going to start? It’s pretty grey and it seems like there’s a lot to work out.”

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Negotiations

The RFU released a statement earlier this week announcing that the contracts would be confirmed “in the autumn”, but May, who was appearing on the podcast alongside England prop Ellis Genge, indicated that negotiations have barely got off the ground.

“There are players who maybe would have liked to have made a decision this season as to whether they stayed in England or not, and knowing if they were on a contract or not would have been useful to help shape their decision,” he said.

“There’s a lot to work out, so I can’t see it being ready any time soon.”

The Gloucester wing added: “What I want for the boys is for them to be looked after physically, I want them to be paid well, I want the game to grow, but I can’t see how it works.

“I can’t see how a hybrid deal works because I don’t see how it’s possible for the RFU to say they’re doing medical and S&C at your clubs when they’re on a hybrid contract.

“For instance, let’s say Gengey’s touring New Zealand in the summer, he bangs his shoulder and he’s got a final against Northampton at Twickenham.

“The RFU come in and say, ‘we don’t want Gengey playing in that final’. Well, the club are going to play him in that final. I don’t see how you work through these issues.

“It’s a good job I’m not sorting it out because I don’t know how to sort it out.”