What they want is a higher (70% not 60%) flat fee and the rest (30% not 40%) as a win bonus. Wouldn't it be good if footballers were all paid the same in a team and their bonuses were determined by team performances not individual ones. I appreciate it is different in International Sport but we could always dream.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

Answers

I find it objectionable that they want to be paid at all (other than expenses) to represent their country.

Having said that ... the RFU does rake in a hell of a lot of money.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

The RFU have just announced profits of £14 million and projected £20 mill for next year and this percentage amounts to about £500. FFS is it worth it to be a laughing stock of the country (the RFU).

I'm supposed to be going to see that match on Saturday and I'll end up seeing a load of A'teamers scrap it out. Don't care really as I'll be in the car park, sitting on the boot lid of my new Range Rover, eating controversial prawn sandwiches!!!

(I was joking about the last bit!)

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

Strike over.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

As I understand it, the arguement was not only over the %age of match fee vs win bonus but also over the use of the players image with the sponsorship.

Union players don't get a huge amount of money at the best of times, and Internationals play a large part in their income. I think they're right to question their pay conditions as the RFU has been guilty of tearing apart a great game.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

They just had it on TV over here. did you know that the England players deal [as offered] means they get £30,000 more than the All Blacks? No, thought not....

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

I read somewhere that they only get half as much as the Welsh so the Welsh get £60,000 more than the All Blacks, mmmmm there seems to be a trend here.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

The rejected offer was £65K per year for a 4 year contract for each of the 22 men in the squad.

I hope they get booed onto the pitch on Saturday ... the mercenary bastids. A Scotsman would buy his own kit (or play in skins) to turn out for his country.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

And while I'm on a rant..... that Alan Shearer chap should be willing to pay to play for Newcastle United! It's not like he can't afford it.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000