Johnson joins calls for shorter season
October 12, 2000

England skipper Martin Johnson has joined the growing number of players voicing concerns over the way in which the game is being run in England.

With a new format being used in the Zurich Premiership as well as cup, European and international matches, players like the Leicester skipper could play around 45 games over an 11-month season. "The first league games were on August 19 and the Lions tour of Australia will finally finish on July 8 next year. That is not right," said Johnson.

"Players at the top end of the game are not getting as long a pre-season as they need. The knock-on effect will be injuries taking longer to mend and players finishing their careers earlier," he told The Sun"Starting the domestic season in August is too early for international players. It needs to be changed to September."

Another to voice his concerns over the demands place on players is Northampton and Scotland flanker Budge Poutney. "The workload for the players is beyond belief. The men who organise the number of games obviously don't play rugby. They've got to sort it out because it is absolute madness."

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