Dave Craven: ‘Savage cuts may ultimately be necessary to save the sport’

There will be plenty more doing likewise following the Government’s much-welcomed decision to introduce the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

It is designed to support employers whose operations have been severely affected by Covid-19.

And, undoubtedly, all clubs, rugby league or otherwise, up and down the land have been ‘severely affected’ by this global pandemic.

It allows employers to claim 80 per cent of furloughed employees’ (employees on a leave of absence) wage costs, up to £2,500 per month, and has understandably been heartily lapped up.

Many clubs feared the swarming disease could sound their death knell but this relief has offered them crucial breathing space, allowing them to retain staff without the need to pay them while the sport’s enforced inaction continues.

It is only for a temporary three -month period, though, which culminates at the end of May; the hope is that the sport can resume as soon as possible after that date but few people in the game truly think that will actually happen.

With that in mind, the belt-tightening has already begun in earnest, with players and staff at some Super League clubs told this week they have been placed on furlough.

It makes complete and utter sense; a full squad of rugby players who cannot play let alone even train together are hardly in a position to earn their wage.

The money clubs can save now will be crucial in their bid to rise again when sport does finally get underway again.

It would be no surprise if all Super League clubs announce in the coming days that they have used the government initiative although Toronto Wolfpack and Catalans Dragons clearly cannot.

Rugby league is not a wealthy sport, illustrated by the fact an annual salary cap of around £2m per club is dwarfed compared to so many other sports.

Nevertheless, there are some players who will be earning considerably more than £2,500 per month and it will, then, be interesting to see how that situation is dealt with.

Some clubs will perhaps be able and willing to make-up the difference for their players, others almost certainly not.

Each player and member of staff, as well, will have different individual and personal financial situations to negotiate.

In the days and weeks ahead, there could be scope for some serious unrest between players, staff and clubs and it will undoubtedly be a minefield swimming with potential explosions.

One thing is clear, though, the sport will need more help than furloughing alone to survive and that is why all clubs are eagerly awaiting to see how the Rugby Football League fares in its bid to secure some of the government’s £330 billion business bailout package. That will be critical in helping lead them out of these troubled waters, as is the continued support of Sky Sports paying their broadcast monies.

Inevitably, wage cuts have already been discussed and are fully expected to be brought in at most clubs at some point in the future.

That will bring another potential conflict – and some of the numbers flying around do become savage – but there is also an understanding from many that such measures are needed to save the entire sport. It all adds up to one of rugby league’s biggest-ever challenges. Good luck, everyone.