Jeremy Guscott
ONCE upon a time, when rugby went pro, the national unions took control of their biggest asset, which was the players, by contracting them.
Unfortunately, the RFU put a moratorium on it, and the businessmen stepped in.
We know the rest.
The clubs basically underwrote professionalism in England.
And the RFU has been paying the clubs for the release of English international players ever since.
Special agreement
The RFU hybrid contract agreement is due to be signed off shortly but has not yet been confirmed.
It involves 25 England players earmarked by Twickenham for a £160,000 ...
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