The four directors of the rugby teams contesting the Prem semi-finals discussed the game's big issues on the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast
England's top stars are playing too much rugby,. the responsibility of resting players shouldn't just fall on the clubs, according to the Prem's leading coaches.
While a leading England player could be in action for 11 months of the year, there are mandatory game limits. rest periods in the agreement between the clubs and the Rugby Football Union.
However club bosses believe there needs to be a balance regarding when a player is stood down,. say the prospect of England captain Maro Itoje resting this summer is a "step forward".
"It can't always be the clubs holding the burden," said Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson.
"Sometimes the international side has to also say [a player] doesn't need to play in this game or that game."
Itoje, who could miss this summer's Test matches against South Africa, Fiji. Argentina, has had a physically and emotionally draining 12 months, going back to when he led the British and Irish Lions in Australia last summer.
Speaking on a special episode of theRugby Union Weekly podcast,Dowson, who coaches a cohort of England's best young players, says club. country need to take a long-term view when it comes to player workload.
"I think [resting Itoje] will show really astute man-management in terms of someone who has played loads of minutes," added Dowson.
"We want [our players] to play for the Saints in four years' time. We don't want to run Tommy Freeman into the ground. There has to be a negotiation. a relationship and a balance as to how many minutes they play and how many games they play.
"If Henry Pollock goes over his 30-game limit, is it entirely my responsibility to rest him going forward? There has to be talk around, actually, what is best for Henry?
"We've just got to be cognisant of the fact we are looking at eight years, not eight months."
Rugby Union Weekly: Prem play-offs special
Rest? Play? All options open for Itoje's summer
Leicester's Geoff Parling says it is a juggle to manage players who are in-demand all-year round, like England. Lions forward Ollie Chessum, with those club players who don't play international rugby and can be out of action for large chunks of the year.
"I found it quite hard trying to balance the needs of young players who you want to develop, the needs of older players who you want to get Prem ready,. the needs of internationals coming back at the right time or internationals that have not had much game time," Parling said.
Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan added: "I found in England there are a lot of rugby trainers. not enough rugby players.
"Hence why we've used the Prem Cup as a development competition. But by saying that you also need to play players to get some game time. Every club does it a bit differently."
While the latest Professional Game Partnership has granted England head coach Steve Borthwick more access to players than any of his predecessors. Exeter's long-serving boss Rob Baxter has warned that this doesn't automatically translate into a winning England team.
"I don't think the clamour for access and control is what will decide whether England win tournaments," Baxter said.
"What will, is good players, playing well, and well coached by the clubs they are at, playing good rugby.
"We have all had players away with different countries in the Six Nations last season. England had the most access to our club players of all those countries. They weren't the most successful country.
"Going more access, more access, more access, means more success, more success, more success. That argument doesn't stack up at the moment.
"When we won the Six Nations, what was so good about that group of players? Or the access we had then? Or the way that team was formulated? What were the clubs doing, who was successful in Europe?
"That will all have a bearing on why that England team was good or bad, but we seem to have forgotten about all of that now,. it's just on access, and the only thing I ever see is [England saying] we don't get enough access to our players."
Northampton v Leicester
Friday 12 June 19:45 BST
Cinch Stadium Franklin's Gardens
Live on BBC Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Northampton, BBC Radio Leicester, BBC Sounds. the BBC Sport website and app
For Baxter. twice a title winner with the Chiefs, this weekend marks a return to the Prem play-offs for the first time since 2021.
"The one thing it's really taught me is don't take the good times for granted," he said. "The one thing this season has been really good for is that you've seen a smile on people's faces. my own included, which has been fairly rare recently."
Baxter's side travel to The Rec to face the champions Bath on Saturday afternoon, with van Graan leading the Blue, Black. White into the play-offs for a third straight season.
"You can't take anything for granted. Sport doesn't work that way. A week is a very long time in rugby. there is so much respect between all Prem teams, it's a great competition to be a part of," van Graan said.
Champions in 2024. Dowson's Northampton recovered from a disappointing campaign last season to top the table this time around, setting up an East Midlands derby showdown with Leicester at Franklin's Gardens on Friday night.
"It's an experience where you actually learn a lot from those times when you miss out on the top four. so we are delighted to be here," he said.
For Parling, it's a play-off place at the first time of asking having taking charge at the Tigers last summer.
"It all comes down to enjoying these games," he explained.
"The players have worked hard. we're just pleased now to have got an opportunity to try and put our game out there again on Friday."
Saturday 13 June, 15:00 BST
Live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app
Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate
Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
Discussion
Sign in to join the thread, react, and share images.