Wray slams "pathetic" FFR

By Jason Harris
November 11 2002

Sarries owner Nigel Wray has spoken about the ongoing saga of Thomas Castaignede's insurance when the Frenchman plays for Les Bleus and brands the French Federation's inability to insure properly the player as "a pathetic state of affairs".

Castaignede scored a drop goal in France's 30-10 win over the Springboks last weekend and came through the match unscathed. But Wray once again is unhappy with the way players are paid by their clubs and taken by their national sides without any compensation.


"I think it really typifies the stupidity of the game," said Wray on the Watford Observer web site.

"You should be 100 per cent delighted for the guy going to play for his country after two wretched years as there is no bigger honour, but there is always a bit of me that thinks 'here we go again'. We are paying his wages while he plays for his country instead of us, he might get injured again and that's because the season is so stupidly organised."

Despite several claims to the contrary recently in the national press, the matter is still not resolved and Wray once again sees FFR president Bernat Lapasset on 27 November to see whether he and Saracens, rumoured to be £400,000 worse off after paying Castaignede's wages during his 18-month injury hell, will be able to get at least some of that not inconsiderable sum re-imbursed.

Even though Castaignede has returned to play for Les Blues, he has been told by the FFR that as he is a high risk, he must make his own insurance arrangements, something that angers Wray

"The ridiculous thing" said Wray "is the French aren't covering it so we have had to ensure that Thomas is self-insured, which is a pretty pathetic state of affairs that the French Federation, who have such massive revenue produced from games, can't take it upon themselves to insure a player properly."

By way of contrast, Wray has supported unquestionably one of the world's great rugby talents in his time of trail and condluded

"I just gave him [Castaignede] whatever support I could as I think he is an extraordinary player and we all want to see him back at his best because he is exciting. He is a very nice guy as well and I'm sure that he will repay Saracens with some great play."

Sarries fans will hope that Castaignede will return from his international duties unharmed and continue to show the old form that has been in evidence since the start of the season.

Wray, on the other hand, will hope that finally, the FFR will realise that they have a responsibility for players who represent them a test level and not place the burden onto the clubs who, according to the coaches and owners, are getting a very raw deal.