Green with envy.

England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has admitted he envies the central contract system that is afforded to players who ply their trade in the Ireland, Wales and New Zealand.

In the Premiership where Marler plies his trade, the clubs are privately owned, meaning there is a constant tug-of-war between the RFU and Premiership Rugby for talent. Whereas in Ireland for example – player welfare is key, with the IRFU carefully managing the workloads for their internationals.

Marler says sometimes “England want one thing and your club want something else,”

“Sometimes England want one thing and your club want something else,” Marler said

“Your club pay your wages so they’re the strong voice but you want to get picked by England.”

“It’s difficult to manage without upsetting either party, so you either get caught up in the politics of it all or just go out and play.”

“I look at the systems in Wales, Ireland or New Zealand with envy but senior people here say ‘too late, the ship has sailed’, and go back to the power of the clubs.”

“Am I saying I know the right number of games? No, but I just know it should be less.”

“I’d rather play fewer games per year, take less money and have a longer career. Just like I’d rather have a functioning body after rugby and less money, instead of more money and a hip replacement.”

England and Bath fullback Anthony Watson has also called for less games. He doesn’t think the Championship trial this season that sees players forced to tackle “below the nipple-line” is the answer. Less games is the answer. Especially for English players.

“You don’t want to see passive tackles. I don’t think changing the nature of the game is the answer.” Watson told the Mail on Sunday

“What’s difficult is playing 25 plus games per year and you end up playing at 75 or 80 per cent.”

“These things aren’t decided by the players but I’d have thought 20 games maximum is the right number.”

[RTE]