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  • All the entities of French professional rugby held a telephone meeting to discuss the future, with the cessation of activities due to the coronavirus.
  • President of Provale, the rugby players union, Robins Tchale-Watchou talks about the doubts and fears of its members.

Like everyone else, professional rugby players have gone into the unknown in these times of coronavirus. On Monday, a telephone meeting allowed their union (Provale) to discuss the uncertain era that is opening with the National League (LNR), but also with representatives of the clubs of Top 14 and Pro D2 (UCPR) and coaches (Tech XV).

"We had to share the questions that each had, to give the same level of information to our bases," explains Robins Tchale-Watchou, president of Provale, which claims some 850 members out of 1,300 professional players. While at the beginning of last week, the thinking heads of rugby pro were fighting over whether they were going to organize matches behind closed doors, there is no longer any question of playing, until further notice. No more in the league than in the European Cup.

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The hour is short-time working for club employees, who close their facilities. Employers cover 70% of gross wages, or 84% of the net. The state will reimburse clubs up to 4 times the minimum wage (8,000 euros) while, according to Le Figaro, the average salary of a Top 14 player is 20,000 euros. The clubs will leave huge feathers there, but will be able to save part of the social charges.

"We have to get out of it"

"Everyone has taken stock of this exceptional phenomenon, while our family is often torn apart," says Robins Tchale-Watchou. The FFR, the LNR and the various unions work together. Everyone is worried. The sustainability of our ecosystem depends on it. We have to get out of it. The members of Provale, in Top 14, Pro D2, Federal 1 or Elite women should be kept informed of the situation from Wednesday thanks to their captain or the union correspondent of their club, gathered in a WhatsApp group.

Inevitably, the calls are raining and the questions relate a lot to the future return to competition, completely impossible to date to this day, as indicated by the former second line of Perpignan and Montpellier (36 years old).

“The players wonder if they will have to play two games in eight days, if the four weeks of vacation will be eliminated in the event of a staggered calendar, if the rankings will be frozen… Whatever position you occupy, this has an impact , on ascents and descents. Our role is to say: "calm down". "

While waiting to see less blur, Tchale-Watchou reflects on the solidarity which rugby must demonstrate. “People will stay on the side, there will necessarily be clubs in difficulty. How to support the different actors? Now is the time to talk… ”Right now, there isn't much else to do.

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  • Coronavirus
  • Covid 19
  • Sport
  • Top 14
  • Rugby
  • Unemployment
  • Pro D2