Leicester Tigers chairman Peter Tom has underlined his determination that the clubs should not suffer in continuing negotiations with the RFU. Tom, in addressing shareholders at the club's annual general meeting where he reported the club's record turnover (£15.1 million) and profits (£1.1 million), said franchising and claims on players were the biggest threats to the future of the clubs.
"Last season 22 Leicester Tigers players represented England at senior, U21, U19 and Sevens levels. While we are all very proud to see Tigers players in England shirts, it does create serious selection problems," Tom said. "This season, we will be without our England internationals for seven of our 22 league games, putting at risk up to 35 points. And if the RFU has its way, clubs could lose their players for longer periods.
"The development of professional club rugby is one of this country's sporting success stories which everyone should be celebrating. The quality of rugby is improving each season and this should not only be good news for the clubs and their supporters, it should also be welcomed by the RFU.
"Over the past ten years, clubs and their owners have invested upwards of £100 million in professional club rugby, and we will not stand by and allow the RFU to destroy all we have achieved in creating - the most exciting and valuable club rugby competition in the world.
"The RFU has constantly sought to gain control over our players and dictate policy to the clubs. At the heart of the matter is their clear objective to create franchises which they control and through them to centrally contract players, deciding when, where and who plays in a franchise team."
Tom added: "Despite the seriousness of this matter, and the threat it poses to our business, I remain confident that Leicester will continue to remain at the forefront of world club rugby."
"Last season 22 Leicester Tigers players represented England at senior, U21, U19 and Sevens levels. While we are all very proud to see Tigers players in England shirts, it does create serious selection problems," Tom said. "This season, we will be without our England internationals for seven of our 22 league games, putting at risk up to 35 points. And if the RFU has its way, clubs could lose their players for longer periods.
"The development of professional club rugby is one of this country's sporting success stories which everyone should be celebrating. The quality of rugby is improving each season and this should not only be good news for the clubs and their supporters, it should also be welcomed by the RFU.
"Over the past ten years, clubs and their owners have invested upwards of £100 million in professional club rugby, and we will not stand by and allow the RFU to destroy all we have achieved in creating - the most exciting and valuable club rugby competition in the world.
"The RFU has constantly sought to gain control over our players and dictate policy to the clubs. At the heart of the matter is their clear objective to create franchises which they control and through them to centrally contract players, deciding when, where and who plays in a franchise team."
Tom added: "Despite the seriousness of this matter, and the threat it poses to our business, I remain confident that Leicester will continue to remain at the forefront of world club rugby."
