The reaction of pro players to Saracens' salary cap statement has taken some by surprise
After Saracens released a statement recently from chairmen Nigel Wray regarding the controversy surrounding the salary cap, a number of players past and present have given their opinion of Twitter.
Saracens have been at the centre of a lot of attention recently due to Wray’s business ventures with a number of Saracens players, which some have seen as a way of avoiding the salary cap regulations. Premiership Rugby have opened an investigation into this, but that has not stopped many from voicing their opinion.
Saracens do a lot of player welfare and Wray believes that these investments are a great way to help players after their careers, believing that the club are transparent regarding how they spend their money.
While the Premiership champions have been lambasted by some over this latest revelation, it is clear that this approach is looked upon favourably by a number of players.
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Former Gloucester and England number eight Luke Narraway said that Saracens “lead the way”, which was echoed by former Wales fullback Lee Byrne, who said “retirement is one of the hardest battles you will face as an x pro”. Likewise, former Wales international Jonathan Davies described the “fantastic culture on an off the pitch”, as the playing fraternity seems to support Saracens’ approach.
https://twitter.com/lukenarraway/status/1105181137029251074
https://twitter.com/byrney_15/status/1105365099097788417
A message from Nigel Wray. ?? #TogetherSaracens
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) March 11, 2019
These are not the only ones that have come out in support of Saracens, as other players have also commended the club. This perhaps shows a contrast in what players think and what fans think, as the players and former players have experienced firsthand life after rugby.
While some fans may still feel that this is unfair on their club, and that is a legitimate objection, this shows that this is a case that is not simply black and white. The fact that so many former players are showing support of Saracens is maybe the greatest endorsement that the club could have.
https://twitter.com/jimhamilton4/status/1105170463117004811
https://twitter.com/davidflatman/status/1105433859036983296
https://twitter.com/LeonLloyd13/status/1105512775948869635
https://twitter.com/pd4rugby/status/1105126588377649152
However, some players are still a little less convinced by Wray’s statement, particularly Harlequins’ Joe Marler, who posted Saracens’ tweet with an emoji alongside. While he has not directly voiced an opinion, there is a feeling that he is not so supportive of Saracens as some other players have been.
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) March 12, 2019
This is a debate that will surely rage on for a while, but this is an indication that the initial sense of indignation is not shared by all players.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments