Steve Price: Player welfare must be considered

Drew Darbyshire

Warrington coach Steve Price would be concerned about the welfare of his players if they are asked to play three games a week once the season resumes.

The Super League season has been suspended since March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Price believes the physicality of today’s game means that playing three games a week would put his players at serious risk.

He said: “I’m big on player welfare and I understand we need to get games played because we need the game to survive in the North.

“We are in a really tough position because the players put so much into the game and they put so much through their bodies.

“To play three games in a week in today’s game is a lot different to what the gentlemen used to do back in the olden days.

“There is a lot more force going through the contact now and they are a lot faster now. I certainly don’t mean to disrespect past players and I have a huge amount of respect for them but the game has changed dramatically over the last 15 or 20 years.

“To ask players to play three games a week then I find that would be quite difficult – but hopefully the game can come up with a sensible approach that can work for both parties.”

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