A New Players’ Union: the Legal Challenges and Commercial Opportunities

There is increasing discussion about a new rugby players union in England. Leicester and England prop Ellis Genge is at the heart of a new plan to “shake up the rugby scene”, after being disappointed at the advice given to…

The Legal and Regulatory Difficulties of Re-Scheduling the Season (Part II)

Part I of this article analysed the legal and regulatory difficulties of re-scheduling the English Premiership season as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. This second part will consider the challenges faced by the international season. The International Game As…

The Legal and Regulatory Difficulties of Re-Scheduling the Season (Part I)

The Coronavirus pandemic has brought sport to a stand-still globally. Many competitions have been postponed, and many have been cancelled altogether. Most elite professional rugby competitions have been postponed, including the English Premiership, the Pro14, the Champions Cup, the TOP14,…

Coronavirus & Rugby: Pay Cuts and Playing Contracts

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused untold disruption across the world. People’s lives and livelihoods are being affected in unprecedented ways, and governments are taking drastic measures to control the spread of the disease. Against the background of the huge threat…

The Relegation of Saracens

On Saturday 18th January 2020, Saracens were condemned to relegation from the English Premiership. Two days on, I can scarcely believe that I have just written that. In spite of the £5.36 million fine, the 35-point deduction and the difficulties…

Saracens and the Salary Cap – Part IV: Becoming Compliant

This article is the fourth in a series of articles on the Saracens salary cap case and shall consider the ways in which Saracens might be able to become compliant with the Premiership Rugby Salary Cap Regulations (the “Regulations”), this…

Saracens and the Salary Cap – Part III: The Legal Implications

Now that the dust has settled, the wider implications of the Saracens salary cap scandal fall to be considered. Part I of this series explained the decision to sanction the club (the “Decision”) for breaching the Premiership Rugby Salary Cap…

Saracens and the Salary Cap – Part II: Grounds for Review?

This is the second part of a series of articles on Saracens’ breaches of the Premiership Rugby Salary Cap Regulations. Part I, which explained the breaches and the applicable Regulations can be found here. Part III shall follow in due…