Bath announce 25 per cent cut in wages for players and staff

Bath Rugby have announced a 25 per cent pay cut for the players and staff following the pandemic coronavirus.

The Recreation Ground based outfit now becomes the 10th club in the top tier to announce a reduction in wages after Northampton, Harlequins, Wasps, Gloucester, Sale, Leicester, Worcester, Saracens and London Irish.

The decision follows after the season has faced disruption due to the outbreak of the coronavirus as the Rugby Football Union has cancelled all the domestic competitions except the Premiership which is also in doubt.

"While the clear intention of the league and the clubs is to get back to playing rugby as soon as possible, the financial impact on all clubs in the league is significant and immediate.

"In this unprecedented landscape, I can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to ask all players and staff to support the club by agreeing a 25 per cent reduction of salary, effective from April 1st 2020.

"This reduction will not apply to our lower-earning members of staff and players, and we will ensure that we support our people where they are facing serious financial difficulty.

"The decision will remain under constant review, while we wait to start playing rugby again.

"The response of everyone at the club has been amazing. There is a deep desire to come through this period of uncertainty together and to emerge stronger as a club, which we will.

"Since last week, we have taken the decision to close our training facilities at Farleigh, and our operations at the Rec (Recreation Ground)."