"Proper business" - Courtney Lawes calls for change at the top of the RFU

In an interview, the 34-year-old Northampton forward, who has made 263 appearances for Saints, expressed disappointment at the current state of the game, with clubs like Wasps and Worcester going bust and London Irish failing to pay their players for April.

Lawes believes that the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby need to find "people who understand how to make this game a proper business" and work together to find a solution to the financial problems facing the sport.

He said, "there has to be a solution made here in England...otherwise the league is going to suffer."

Lawes has 97 caps for England and another five for the British and Irish Lions, and has won a series of trophies since his debut back in 2007. He believes that financial compensation for players and quality of the game for fans should be top priorities in finding a solution.

"About five years ago we were probably the fastest-growing sport in the country," Lawes said.

"We have to get some people in who understand how we're going to make this game a proper business - so that it continues to grow and that the players are financially compensated for what they're doing to themselves. And so the fans are getting what they pay for, too, in terms of the quality of the game. I don't have all the answers but that's not what I'm paid to do."

There are now talks that the RFU has significant holes in their accounts that could see them carrying over £50m in debt, which further emphasizes the need for a solution to be found.

Lawes' comments highlight the urgent need for English rugby to be run like a proper business, with a focus on financial sustainability and growth. It remains to be seen whether the RFU and Premiership Rugby can come together to find a solution and ensure the future of the sport.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has been brutal In his short time in charge of England, dropping a number of major stars ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.

However, according to multiple reports, there is no way back for a number of stars.

With a move to France pending, the Exeter Chiefs flier went from vice-captain in the Autumn to being completely out of the squad for the Six Nations, reportedly without a phone call.

Brutal from Steve Borthwick, who is reportedly being heavily influenced by RFU chiefs according to Eddie Jones.

Yesterday, any chance of a recall seemed to go out the window as Nowell was fined £10,000 by the Rugby Football Union for criticising a refereeing decision on Twitter.

The 30-year-old accepted his post prejudiced the game when appearing in front of an independent disciplinary panel on Wednesday.

He has to undertake a referees' course, with the fine being donated to charity.

Nowell said referee Karl Dickson's decision to show Woodburn his second yellow card was "one of the worst decisions" he had ever seen.

Age: 32

Position: Loosehead-prop

Caps: 83

Marler is unlikely to return to the England team during the 2023 Six Nations after he breached one of Steve Borthwick’s main rules.

The new England boss has a “no sh**talking policy” with England, whereby he expects players to behave appropriately on the pitch.

As a result, Marler was left out of the Six Nations squad despite his fine form with Harlequins this season.

Marler’s latest ban was for six weeks – four of them suspended – after accepting a charge regarding comments made to Bristol flanker Jake Heenan about his mother.

At this stage, an international return looks very unlikely.

Age: 30

Position: Number 8

Caps: 64

Borthwick excluded Powerhouse No8 Vunipola from the Six Nations squad, opting for Alex Dombrandt from Harlequins and Sam Simmons from Exeter as specialists.

Vunipola made a return to the England squad last summer under Eddie Jones and played in the autumn Test series.

However, in Borthwick's first selection, he made significant changes, resulting in Vunipola being among several experienced players left out.

With Zach Mercer set to return to England this summer, yet another recall for Billy is starting to look very unlikely.

Appearing on The Rugby Pod, Andy Goode said: “This is the thing, pre-match doing the analysis, seven of that eight pack that monstered by France started every Six Nations game.

"Dombrandt, non-existent in the game, has been poor in the Six Nations. I look at the squad thinking, ‘You want some ballast, bring Billy back’.

"Billy ain’t there and I’m hearing the reasons around Billy not being involved in the Steve Borthwick squad is because they had a fallout. Had a fallout and Steve won’t pick him for that reason.

“From what I hear and understand it’s personal. Steve won’t pick Billy Vunipola because of what happened previously between them.”