Italian Rugby Federation agrees to end players' strike
Saturday 20 June 2015 19:37, UK
The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) has struck a deal to end the players' strike and ensure that the country’s preparations for the Rugby World Cup can get back on track.
The Italian squad refused to train on Monday as they were unhappy with terms for bonuses in the upcoming tournament in England.
FIR chiefs say they have now agreed new terms with the 40-strong training squad, who will now start their pre-World Cup a week later than scheduled on Monday.
The organisation have released a statement confirming a new deal had been reached to ensure new payment levels for players training now, even if they do not make the final World Cup cut.
"Following the meetings of recent days it has been agreed with the players of the national team to ensure the resumption of training in preparation for Rugby World Cup 2015," read an FIR statement.
"A number of requests made by the players' agents were considered, and the agreement provides, in particular, financial rewards for all the players called to the pre-season gathering."
The Italians will face Ireland, France, Romania and Canada in Pool D at this year's tournament and coach Jacques Brunel, stuck in the middle of the dispute, must now hope his players are ready to get down to work.
At the start of the strike, the FIR president Alfredo Gavazzi said "I'm disappointed by the attitude taken by the athletes".
However, the FIR statement ended by saying: "Now the world goes to the field: all players have the full support of the entire movement to play a great Rugby World Cup and rediscover the serenity necessary for the growth of our sport."
