The open revolt among rugby's players and coaching staff against plans to extend the Aviva Premiership season to 10 months has deepened, with one recent England international labelling the plan "unsustainable madness". Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed the anger felt by players, who could be expected to play almost year-round rugby from 2019-20 under Premiership Rugby's plans. Players union chairman Christian Day is demanding to meet Premiership Rugby bosses to seek assurances over compulsory rest periods, but has so far been unable to secure a face-to-face meeting. The Rugby Players Association need to be able to sit in front of Premiership Rugby and voice their concerns - they need to draw a line in the sand. Damian Hopley, the chief executive of the Rugby Players Association, signed off plans to align the northern and southern hemisphere, following World Rugby talks in San Francisco in January.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 09, 2017 08:02 UTC