Liam Watts understands RFL’s decision to scrap minimum wage law

Drew Darbyshire 30 Apr 2020 3:53 PM

Castleford prop Liam Watts has raised an interesting point of why the Rugby Football League has scrapped the minimum wage law.

The governing body has scrapped a law that made sure players were to be paid a minimum salary of £15,000 a year to play in Super League.

Watts believes this has been done to ensure clubs don’t go over the salary cap given the current circumstances and that teams can call upon academy players if needed, with it being likely there will be multiple games a week.

He tweeted: “I signed for £6,500 a year at Hull KR on a full-time deal. I had to prove myself and then after doing that, I earned a two-year deal on £12,000 a year with match payments.

“It’s tough coming through the ranks but this allows kids to make a name for themselves in this current situation.

“It means clubs can play the kids if needed to help fulfil fixtures. If the clubs have to up every kid’s salary from their current one to £15,000 then it would put clubs over the salary cap, which means clubs wouldn’t do it.

“It gives them a chance to play Super League this way.”

Means clubs can play the kids if needed to help fulfil fixtures. If the clubs have to up every kids salary from their current one to £15k then it will put clubs over the salary cap which means clubs wouldn’t do it. It gives them a chance to play super league this way.

— Liam Watts (@WATTSY7890) April 28, 2020