Bath Rugby's 'disbelief' at front page headline 'disgrace'

Bath Rugby captain Charlie Ewels has hit out at a headline claiming players at the club were in revolt over pay cuts at the club.

This week Bath joined a growing list of Premiership clubs to ask players to take a 25 per cent pay cut amid the suspension of the Gallagher Premiership due to the coronavirus.

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They followed the steps of Northampton, Gloucester, Leicester, Worcester, Saracens, Harlequins, Wasps, and London Irish, with the Premiership currently suspended until April 24.

This morning, the front page headline in the English edition of The Rugby Paper claimed that players were in ‘revolt’.

Captain Charlie Ewels has going on the attack, branding the headline a ‘disgrace’. A statement from Ewels on behalf of the club reads:

“You might have seen the front page of The Rugby Paper today and if you did, given what we are all experiencing at this time, it would be fair if you felt a sense of disbelief or even disgrace at the headline which reads ‘Bath stars revolt over pay cuts’.

“As Captain of our Club, I can categorically say that these reports are not true, and as a playing group, we are not in revolt against our Club. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, we wish to work with the Club through this extremely challenging time so we can get back to where we all want to be, playing rugby at the Rec again.

“Everyone at Bath Rugby is committed to working through this together, and the players within the squad that I am fortunate enough to serve as Captain are no different. We play rugby for a living and we understand that if we are not playing games, then there is no money coming in. It is a difficult time for everyone at the Club, however, we are all on this journey together.

“We as players understand everything happening across the globe is having a huge impact, and that impact is reaching far beyond us. I can say that I 100% support the principle of the pay cuts, as do the majority of players at the Club, believing they are what is right to guide the Club through this tough period.

“Like players at all other Clubs, we have been guided by the advice of our union the RPA during this hugely uncertain time. We are seeking answers to some specific questions regarding players on lower salaries and players coming to the end of their contracts. However, we are discussing these questions openly and transparently with Stuart and Tarquin and I know we will find the right answers in due course. We will do what is right for the future of our people, our Club and our game.

“I’d like to close by thanking you all for your continued support, Charlie Ewels, Club Captain”.

Like the rest of the Premiership, Bath Rugby are feeling the financial pain of rugby being suspended.

Bath chief executive Tarquin McDonald said earlier this week: “While the clear intention of the league and the clubs is to get back to playing rugby as soon as possible, the financial impact on all clubs in the league is significant and immediate.

“In this unprecedented landscape, I can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to ask all players and staff to support the club by agreeing a 25 per cent reduction of salary, effective from April 1st 2020.”