Cycle of conflict: A decade of strife in English professional rugby

Williams, PJ 2008, 'Cycle of conflict: A decade of strife in English professional rugby' , The International Journal of the History of Sport, 25 (4) , pp. 65-81.

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Abstract

Rugby union was the last major international sport to embrace open professionalism. In the years leading up to the abandonment of the amateur principle by the sport’s world governing body, the (English) Rugby Football Union’s rearguard action on both domestic and international fronts left it ill-equipped to cope with the realities of a new world order. This discussion will provide a brief review of the circumstances which led to rugby union’s change of status; examine in detail how and why conflicts which emerged in the aftermath of professionalism were particular to the English experience; analyse events which have sustained these conflicts over a decade; and offer an assessment of future prospects for stability in the domestic game. Keywords: Rugby Union; RFU; Professionalism; Club-versus-Country

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Subjects outside of the University Themes
Schools:	Schools > Salford Business School > Salford Business School Research Centre
Journal or Publication Title:	The International Journal of the History of Sport
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	0952-3367
Funders:	Non funded research
Depositing User:	PJ Williams
Date Deposited:	11 Dec 2012 12:40
Last Modified:	10 Aug 2017 00:42
URI:	http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/27324

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