"In financial terms we are no longer on a level playing field," said Wasps executive chairman Mark Rigby.
"It does raise great concern that French clubs can now blow the English clubs away when it comes to salaries.
"There is a wider concern that the development of English rugby players will only be hampered as they move away from the Premiership, which stands as the best domestic league in the northern hemisphere, and regular head-to-head competition."[/b]
I don't think it's the fact that players are moving to France that executives are complaining about (although they obviously aren't thrilled), it's that the Premiership's salary cap limits the extent to which they can compete with those clubs across the channel who don't have the same restrictions.[/b]
Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty confirmed a reduction in the salary cap will be discussed in January in a bid to combat the financial crisis which threatens to engulf Bristol and Newcastle.Bristol, currently bottom of the Guinness Premiership, are already operating at a £1million annual loss and last month issued an urgent appeal for new investment to simply "remain competitive".
The club's chief executive Steve Gorvett predicted Premiership clubs will lose a total of between £12million and £20million this season as a result of the economic downturn.
Bristol's playing budget is £1million under the current salary cap, which was increased at the start of this season despite their opposition.
The proposal to reduce the ceiling for the 2009-10 season from £4million to £3.5million would require a 75% majority vote from the clubs.
McCafferty admitted the move may not help English clubs compete with the big-spending French on the European stage - but he insisted the priority must be to keep their own house in order.
The challenge, he explained, is to ensure English club rugby remains afloat until the new £54million television deal kicks in ahead of the 2010-11 season.
"Twelve months ago it looked a good decision but now the world has changed and we are reviewing the level of the salary cap for 2009-10," said McCafferty.[/b]
Just be confirmed that Haskell, Palmer and Fluety are all off to France
Haskell and Palmer to Stade Francais And Fluety to Brive
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_unio...sps/7893734.stm
What does this mean to English Rugby? Is the credit crunch hitting the clubs that bad?[/b]
I think they are just following the money. Just like Carter, Collins and the rest. French clubs are spending a vast amount of money to sign the leading players in World Rugby. It is irresponsible in this current financial climate to just wave cash at players. Look at Toulon. They have internationals all over the place, yet they play like the local 3rd XV.
Stade Francais don't even need Haskell, and Palmer won't really make much of a dent there either. CA Brive is turning into Old Premiershiponians XV. The only club who don't really spend out is Toulouse, and perhaps Clermont. They produce there own players generally and sign young french players.
Yeah sure, go abroad but i think we will see an even worse England team if this happens. I mean Flutey, who has got his residency should be here. This is where he settled.
I'm not sure how Flutey is affected by his limited leave to remain/UK citizenship. You have to stay here and not leave for long periods, or you may be asked to revoke your citizenship. Not sure how it affects sports people.[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (getofmeland @ Feb 17 2009, 12:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just be confirmed that Haskell, Palmer and Fluety are all off to France
Haskell and Palmer to Stade Francais And Fluety to Brive
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_unio...sps/7893734.stm
What does this mean to English Rugby? Is the credit crunch hitting the clubs that bad?[/b]
Wasps didn't even make money last year. So really the salary cap for their current business model is too high. Teams are losing money and they're complaining they can't retain players and need to pay them more so they could lose more money? That doesn't make a lot of sense.[/b]
Why the **** is everyone leaving Wasps?[/b]
So who will Wasps bring in to replace the departing/departed players?
Ibanez will be a loss but Rob Webber and Joe Ward can cover his loss satisfactorily. Replacing Palmer won't be a problem with Shaw, Skivington and Birkett a strong unit. Haskell will be missed but in Dan Leo, Tom Rees, Serge Betsen, Joe Worsley and Hugo Ellis they have talented players in the backrow. I could see them making a run for a backup number 8 to boost their numbers. Flutey will be a big loss because the Wasps midfield cupboard is so bare. What other centres do they have besides Dominic Waldouck? Josh Lewsey maybe but he's a far better back 3 player in my opinion. I know that they were linked with Waylon Murray a couple of months ago - given the lack of centre options at Adams Park next year, he'd be a very useful addition.[/b]
Flutey is the dodgy one. Because he's already made a major career move - going to England. Now he's English and all of a sudden he's f***ed off to France - not only that, but to a distinctly average French team and to play outside Andy Goode, which is not my idea of fun. And he's gone to a minor little town in the South of France which is probably stuffed full of 2nd home Brits anyway. At least go to Biarritz or Montpellier so you can get some beach time![/b]
