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Just when there are signs of a squad coming coming together a row erupts between the Rugby Players Association (RPA) and the RFU with regards to player wages for the forthcoming summer tour of Australia.

Rightly so, Martin Johnson wants to take an enlarged squad to Oz to give some of the youngsters playing in the Saxons squad an experience of touring and playing downunder in light of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year. 

Rob Andrew in his negotiations with Damian Hopley, CEO of the RPA wants to pay the midweek squad a lower rate than the 22 that will be in the test squad - an outrageous idea! I have never heard of a touring squad where the players are paid different amounts. This will definitely creat an us and them divisive group in the squad at a a time when all need to be bonding together. I am amazed that for two chaps that played together at Wasps, Rob could not have had a quiet word with Damian explaining that the plan is to take an enlarged squad and that however, there is a budget issue.  I am sure that Damian would not want to deny the youngsters the chance of going on the senior tour and between them could have come up with the solution of all receiving a lower basic, but the same sum, and a win bonus for the 22 involved in the test match before actually reaching the formal negotiation table.

Instead we find ourselves in a situation where the factions are at loggerheads at a time when unity is called for. There isn't much time left to build a team capable of competing at the next world cup and that is where all energies should be channelled.

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