PRA hits out at new deal

David Barnes: Speaking for the players

English rugby's players' union has branded plans to impose performance-related pay on international stars as "unfair".

The Rugby Football Union confirmed on Wednesday that they were in talks with the Professional Rugby Players' Association over the issue of match fees.

England players are currently paid £9,000 each per game, a flat-rate regardless of the result.

A report on Thursday claimed that instead of paying players around £100,000 a year in total, the RFU have offered a smaller lump sum of about £65,000, with the rest to be topped up by win bonuses.

PRA chairman David Barnes told the Daily Telegraph: "There is a bit of a problem at the moment - not exclusively about money.

"The major bone of contention is win bonuses on a match-by-match basis. In a team game in which anything can happen and the team can play very well and lose, we believe that to be unfair.

"I don't believe England players are frightened of the concept of an end-of-tournament bonus being paid on top of a fair and negotiated match fee calculated on their finishing position in the Six Nations and World Cup."

There have also been reports England players were threatening strike action over the new four-year contracts, with next month's tour of New Zealand under threat.

But both the RFU and PRA played down that possibility, with the former saying in a statement that talks were continuing in a "positive and productive manner".