Mark McCall, Saracens’ director of rugby, has expressed concerns over the impact of player welfare regulations on the readiness of international players at the start of the new Premiership season. Under current guidelines set by the Professional Rugby Board, players who participated in summer tours are required to have a 10-week rest period. This rule, aimed at ensuring sufficient recovery time for players, has raised questions regarding the effectiveness of this approach in preparing athletes for the demands of the club season.
International players, including England’s Tom Willis and Scotland’s Fergus Burke, were not allowed to participate in the Prem Cup matches due to these regulations, which left them with limited game time before the start of the season. McCall pointed out that despite these players being available for the first round of Premiership games, they entered the season underprepared, with little time to adjust to the physical demands of competitive play.
The issue is particularly relevant for players involved in the British & Irish Lions tour, such as Maro Itoje and Ben Earl, who, despite exceeding the 30-match limit, are still required to adhere to the same 10-week stand-down period. While some clubs, like Bath, arranged pre-season friendlies to help players regain fitness, McCall believes that it should not require exploiting loopholes to ensure players are match-ready.
One notable exception to the rule was Owen Farrell, who was allowed to play for Saracens following his injury layoff. Farrell’s participation was permitted due to a dispensation, and McCall admitted that his involvement in the Prem Cup could have been beneficial for his fitness. However, McCall emphasized the need for better preparation and integration of internationals into the season, stating that the current regulations could lead to situations where players are not physically ready for the intensity of top-tier rugby.
Other directors of rugby, including Phil Dowson of Northampton and Alex Sanderson of Sale, have echoed similar concerns, noting that internationals often look rusty and unfit in their first games of the season. Dowson pointed out that the current welfare regulations result in players jumping straight into competitive matches without sufficient preparation, which affects their performance and decision-making on the field.
Overall, McCall’s critique highlights the ongoing debate over the balance between player welfare and maintaining the competitive standards of the Premiership.
