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Courtney Lawes, the England forward, believes that English rugby must find “people who understand how to make this game a proper business” in order to grow the game and avoid further Premiership clubs going to the wall.
In a boost to English domestic rugby, Lawes signed a new deal to remain with Northampton on Saturday, but the 34-year-old warned that change was needed at both the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby to avoid another Worcester or Wasps scenario, with London Irish also struggling to pay their players this week.
“It’s just so disappointing how we got here,” said Lawes, who has 97 caps for England and another five for the British and Irish Lions. “About five years ago we were probably the fastest-growing sport in the country. We have to get some people in who understand how we’re going to make this game a proper business – so that it continues to grow and that the players are financially compensated for what they’re doing to themselves. And so the fans are getting what they pay for, too, in terms of the quality of the game. I don’t have all the answers but that’s not what I’m paid to do.
“There has to be a solution made here in England. The RFU and Premiership Rugby have to come together to find out how we’re going to make this work – otherwise the league is going to suffer.”
With the Premiership struggling to compete financially with the likes of France and Japan, a plethora of Lawes’ international team-mates – Jack Nowell, Joe Marchant, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds and Luke Cowan-Dickie – will move across the Channel next season on lucrative deals. Although Lawes was not necessarily in favour of centrally contracting England internationals – as is the case in Ireland – he believes all options should be explored as “no one is on the same page”.
“‘Central contract’ is a wide term,” he said. “It depends what structure you want to put in place. But Ireland have it pretty good over there and they seem to be pretty happy with that. All avenues should be explored. Premiership Rugby don’t want central contracts and they want control of the players, but we need to explore everything to find out what is going to be the best solution. Not just for the players, the RFU and the Premiership – but for everyone. At the minute it feels like no one’s on the same page.”
Given the plight of London Irish and the players departing to France, the news of Lawes’ re-signing at Franklin’s Gardens came as a welcome fillip to the Premiership when announced by Northampton. While financial motives dictated that Lawes thought long and hard about leaving Saints, Northampton were “able to respond” with an appropriate offer, leaving Lawes “delighted” at not having to leave after a season that has been dogged by injury. Notwithstanding, loyalty is a dying concept in the professional game, he believes.
“I really didn’t want to leave,” Lawes said. “Because of what’s happened this season, I thought that I deserved more and the club deserved more – so we go once more. There were times when you have to think financially. But luckily Saints have always been able to respond and that’s meant I’ve always been able to stay a one-club man. I’m delighted to be that.
“One of the big draws was that I can do my testimonial next season as well. That’s something I’m planning on doing, and can be relatively lucrative depending on how well you get it done. The main reason I stayed is that the club means a lot to me, I think they’re going to need me next season with all the players leaving, and my legacy here is important to me. I didn’t want to leave on a season where I didn’t contribute as well as I would’ve liked.
“There’s absolutely no loyalty in terms of clubs. Clubs only ever talk about loyalty when you’re leaving them. It’s been the same throughout my time in rugby and you see it time and time again. But you have to do what’s best for you – if that’s staying or leaving a club, for now and the future, do what’s right for you and make the right business call.”
Lawes, who has so far made one England appearance under head coach Steve Borthwick, could not confirm what the future held beyond next season, whether he would be able achieve his goal of finishing as a one-club man.
“I don’t know, honestly. I want to go to the World Cup and perform well there and then I think I’m going to take each season as it comes pretty much,” he said. “I suppose as long as I’m continuing to stay as consistent as I have been then we’ll see what happens. I’m not going to make any decisions right now. I just want to get to another World Cup and then make an impact next season.”
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