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LONDON - England's rugby players are considering strike action over a pay dispute which could threaten their tour of New Zealand, it was reported yesterday.
A day after new coach Martin Johnson confirmed his 32-man squad to play the All Blacks in two tests next month, the Daily
Telegraph reported the dispute between the players and the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
The paper said former international Rob Andrew, the RFU's elite director of rugby and stand-in manager for the tour, was due to meet with representatives of the players today in an attempt to thrash out a peace deal.
But if they fail to reach a settlement, or at least agree the way forward with negotiations, the tour could be in danger.
The dispute centres around the RFU's desire to reduce flat rate match payments, and add win bonuses and incentives for good performances in the Six Nations and World Cup.
England players are currently paid £9000 ($23,225) per game regardless of the result.
The Telegraph reported the two sides were about £20,000 apart.
It said the players were adamant that the introduction of performance-related payments would suggest that they might sometimes give less than 100 per cent in a given England game and would therefore call their integrity into doubt.
The RFU, who remain confident that a compromise will be reached, point to the fact that many of their personnel are already employed on performance-related schemes, including Andrew, chief executive Francis Baron and Johnson.
England face the All Blacks in Auckland on June 14 and Christchurch a week later.
Johnson confirmed Bath lock Steve Borthwick as his captain in the absence of the injured Phil Vickery.
The six newcomers are New Zealand-born Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, London Irish wing Topsy Ojo, Harlequins halfback Danny Care, Bristol prop Jason Hobson, Irish hooker David Paice and his club colleague, lock Nick Kennedy.
Apart from Vickery, who has a knee injury, other absentees from the Six Nations campaign include first five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson, who is absent through shoulder surgery, Wasps lock Simon Shaw and Bristol hooker Mark Regan.
Former Kiwis rugby league winger Lesley Vainikolo was among the casualties after making his test debut off the bench against Wales and then retaining his place for the remaining four Six Nations matches.
- NZPA