Barnes hopes to settle debate

David Barnes is heading a players' union in an attempt to avoid a crisis in rugby.

Bath prop David Barnes is leading a players' union in one final attempt to resolve the club-versus-country row that threatens to destroy the game.

Barnes is in the process of situating the Professional Rugby Players' Association in the middle of the RFU and the PRL (the Premiership clubs' representatives), and he is determined to bring about an agreement that is based on the players' interests.

The situation is becoming desperate as the debate rumbles on, with the forthcoming Six-Nations fixture against Wales highlighting the need for action.

A huge Premiership clash between Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers is scheduled for the preceding weekend, and half of England's first XV could be involved unless an agreement can be reached.

Captain Martin Corry admits he does not know when the England squad will meet ahead of that clash, which is hardly ideal preparation for a potential Six-Nations decider.

A determined Barnes stated: "The arguments between the RFU and Premier Rugby are damaging to the game and we want to get the focus back on rugby, back on the players.

"We have got to act. The players are contracted to their clubs but any aspiring player wants to play for England. We want to stop the players from being caught in the middle.

"We keep hearing about the 11-week break in the summer. The players are caught in the middle.

"We are pushing the RFU to appoint a liaison office for the elite player squad to talk to the players themselves so they can be managed individually.

"The clubs are better at player management than the RFU give credit for."