Former England winger Jonny May emphasises that significant adjustments are necessary for the Rugby Football Union’s proposed hybrid contract concept to become viable.
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Despite being unveiled last year, the contracts remain far from being adequately resolved with coaches growing frustrated.
“I think it is quite a mess. There are new contracts which need sorting, there are players who have been out of contract,” he told The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.
“Is there a hybrid contract? Is there not? If there is a hybrid contract, how many players are there on the hybrid contract?
“There’s talk of the RFU doing their S&C and medical (as part of the terms of the hybrid contract), but how do you enforce that? Clubs pay them, so I don’t see how that works.
“How much are they going to be paid? When is it going to start? It’s pretty grey and it seems like there’s a lot to work out.”
He added: “There are players who maybe would have liked to have made a decision this season as to whether they stayed in England or not, and knowing if they were on a contract or not would have been useful to help shape their decision,
“There’s a lot to work out, so I can’t see it being ready any time soon.
“I can’t see how a hybrid deal works because I don’t see how it’s possible for the RFU to say they’re doing medical and S&C at your clubs when they’re on a hybrid contract.
“For instance, let’s say Gengey’s touring New Zealand in the summer, he bangs his shoulder and he’s got a final against Northampton at Twickenham.
“The RFU come in and say, ‘we don’t want Gengey playing in that final’. Well, the club are going to play him in that final. I don’t see how you work through these issues.
“It’s a good job I’m not sorting it out because I don’t know how to sort it out.”
The top 10 fastest rugby players of all-time
0. Jonny May – England – 10.71 seconds (100m)
England’s Jonny May isn’t just fast; he’s a force to be reckoned with. Clocking in at an impressive 10.71 seconds over 100 meters, May’s lightning speed has made him a formidable presence on the pitch. With an ever-growing prowess in finishing, May’s name often finds itself at the forefront of Eddie Jones’ team selections.
9. Cheslin Kolbe – South Africa – 10.70 seconds (100m)
Cheslin Kolbe’s speed is the stuff of legend. A product of South Africa’s rugby system, Kolbe blazed through school with a staggering 10.70-second 100-meter time. Today, he’s even faster, making him a nightmare for opposition defences.
