Ulster Rugby furlough players and staff

Ulster Rugby chief executive Jonny Petrie has insisted that putting all players and coaching staff on furlough during the Covid-19 public health crisis is essential to protecting the business.

Petrie yesterday confirmed that 70% of the province’s 183 staff, including its 44-man senior squad and 19 coaching staff members led by head coach Dan McFarland, had been placed on the UK government’s job retention scheme since the beginning of April. Under that scheme, employers can claim cash grants worth up to 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 (€2,850) a month per worker.