Charlie Sharples blasts Euro bosses for play-off grind

Gloucester wing Charlie Sharples has slammed European Cup chiefs for plunging the Cherry & Whites into play-offs at the expense of player welfare.
Despite winning the Challenge Cup, Gloucester will not receive automatic entry into next season’s Champions Cup. Instead, they must survive play-off matches against Pro 12 and French Top 14 sides to gain access to Europe’s premier club competition.
Sharples believes the system is wrong, telling The Rugby Paper: “We knew the format but I don’t agree with the structure. I don’t see why the team winning the Challenge Cup has to play two extra games at the end of a 35-game season. It’s ridiculous.
“The flip-side is it’s an opportunity to try and get a place in the Champions Cup, and that’s the way we’ll look at it. But from a player welfare and player’s perspective, it’s not a good thing. Two weeks doesn’t sound much, but it drags the season on.”
Sharples, meanwhile, has urged Premiership Rugby to get their house in order over salary cap issues.
Gloucester chairman Ryan Walkinshaw last week expressed disquiet over suggestions that a PRL investigation into salary cap abuse has been suspended. Sharples admits he would be annoyed to discover other clubs were cheating the £5m cap.
“People assume it’s going on and whether they can prove it is a different thing, but it would be disappointing if clubs were breaking the cap,” he said.
“It’s assumptions and hearsay and whether an investigation has been suspended, who knows? But if clubs are breaking the salary cap it would mean you are at a disadvantage and you wouldn’t want the reputation of the game to be tarnished.
“I think the salary cap is a good thing because if you look at how competitive the league is, on any given day any side can give another a good game. With marquee players and the amount clubs invest, starting XVs are on a level playing field.
“Where it probably makes the most difference is when you’re missing players to internationals and injury and you might not have international players to replace them. That’s where any problems with the salary cap could lie.
“As a player, it’s not for you to worry about, our job is to go out and perform. The other side of things will hopefully be taken care of by the people looking after that, but salary cap abuse potentially affects the level playing field.”
England discard Sharples has enjoyed a fine season for Gloucester, playing more Premiership minutes than any other Kingsholm player.
After excelling recently at full-back, he has not ruled out a permanent switch, saying: “It’s been a nice change from wing. You’re involved a bit more and get more counter-attack and decision-making opportunities.
“I’m still a winger but it’s nice to have the full-back option. It benefits my game.”
Clubmate Jonny May has also been on fire and Sharples believes his fellow speedster has done enough to cement his England World Cup place.
He said: “Jonny’s dealt with the disappointment of being dropped in the Six Nations and has been playing some great stuff. He’s been at the heart of what we’ve achieved and will be in that World Cup squad.”
Of his own England hopes, Sharples adds: “I’ve still got aspirations and if Gloucester kick on, hopefully I’ll get another chance.”
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