Courtney Lawes has called on English rugby to find leaders capable of reversing the sport’s decline.
London Irish are teetering on the brink of becoming the third Premiership club this season to go bust, after Worcester and Wasps.
The Northampton star has given the ailing club game a fillip by bucking the trend of stars moving overseas and joining Manu Tuilagi in staying put. But carnage elsewhere in the top-flight has him demanding joined-up thinking from the administrators before it is too late.
“It's just so disappointing how we got here,” said the England forward, who has signed a one-year extension with Saints. “About five years ago we were probably the fastest growing sport in the country.
“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 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. Hopefully the people who are paid to do this stuff can make it work.”
With English rugby’s salary cap down to £5 million, there is a list as long as one of Lawes’ heavily tattooed arms of England players who have signed up for more lucrative deals in France.
That they have done so despite an RFU policy of selecting only players based in the Premiership means players, clubs and country are all losing out.
“Players should be able to go and make money but at the same time we want the Prem to be strong,” continued Lawes. “If most of our best players are leaving that’s not going to be the case.
“There has to be a solution made here in England. The RFU and Premiership Rugby have to come together and find out how we're going to make this work. All avenues should be explored.
“Not just for the players, the RFU and the Premiership - but for everyone. At the minute it feels like no-one’s on the same page.”
Lawes is proud to continue as a one-club man but stresses that he has not turned his back on the Euro out of the goodness of his heart.
“I wouldn’t have stayed in England this whole time if it was not lucrative for me as well,” said the 34-year old, who has been awarded a testimonial next season.
“It’s a finite career and it's important you do look after yourself. There's absolutely no loyalty in terms of clubs. You have to do what's best for you.”
