Players may strike over European Cup row

Rugby union's leading players could go on strike if the row between the top clubs and the game's governing body is not resolved.

The players' union are considering balloting members over taking action if the

row between Premier Rugby and the Rugby Football Union over shareholding and

voting rights in European Rugby Cup Ltd is not resolved.

Read more:
• Clubs seek meeting over Cup boycott
• D-Day for European boycott
• French clubs confirm cup boycott
• Boycott a disgrace - IRB chief
• English clubs announce Euro snub threat
• European Cup peace bid ends in failure
• Heineken future under discussion

The clubs want a share of voting rights but the RFU's refusal to hand that

over has led to clubs in the Guinness Premiership and their French equivalent

deciding not to take part in European competitions next season.

Damian Hopley, chief executive of the Professional Rugby Players' Association,

said: "If revolution is the only language that people can understand, then

maybe we will have to ballot our members and see if they are willing to take

strike action.

"If common sense doesn't prevail, then where else can you turn? The game is

not so much shooting itself in the foot, as blowing off both feet."

Hopley told the Daily Telegraph: "We have this Jerry Springer-type washing of

dirty linen in public, which does no-one any good."

The RFU have written to clubs to explain the legal implications of a European

boycott and the PRA have been involved in talks with the Premier Rugby Board.

However, talks between Premier Rugby and the RFU have so far not involved the

players' union.