The "open revolt among rugby's players and coaching staff" against plans to extend the Premiership season to 10 months has "deepened," with one recent England int'l labeling the plan "unsustainable madness," according to Sam Peters of the London DAILY MAIL. Rugby Players' Association Chair Christian Day, who is "demanding to meet Premiership Rugby bosses to seek assurances over compulsory rest periods but has so far been unable to secure a face-to-face meeting," refused to rule out strike action while Bath Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder on Saturday became the latest coach to "slam the proposals as unworkable." Former England and Lions player Alex Corbisiero "added his voice to the row," saying, "I am a big fan of Premiership Rugby but my honest opinion is that this is a mistake. I don't think it is sustainable or workable. I think it is kind of madness to have an 11-month season where internationals especially are expected to be playing again six or seven weeks after their last Test. ... This needs to be calmly addressed around the table. The Rugby Players' Association need to be able to sit in front of Premiership Rugby and voice their concerns. They need to draw a line in the sand." Currently, players are not allowed to play more than 32 games a season to prevent "intolerable stress on their bodies." But the latest proposals to extend the northern hemisphere domestic season "appear to fly in the face of hard-fought historic concessions made by clubs to player welfare" (DAILY MAIL, 4/8).
