Kevin Ferrie argues in his article that a professional players' union is vital to look after players' interests, and uses the Euan Murray case as an example of the welfare issues which form the basis of the campaign for a union.
"His treatment at the hands of Scottish Rugby Union disciplinary unit - he was banned for eight weeks for an incident which even the alleged victim apparently didn't notice - has left this potential internationalist unable to pursue what looks close to an open-and-shut legal case through the civil courts because he would have to pay for it himself."
"It would also be understandable if he felt he might damage his international prospects by taking the matter further, having been a victim of what seemed to be a vindictive act by small-minded men who were embarrassed when they discovered they had not convened the initial disciplinary hearing under competition rules."
"It all makes a mockery of the view repeatedly expressed by Bill Watson, the previous chief executive at Murrayfield, that as their employer, the SRU wouls also look after player welfare. What would happen, we asked, if there was a dispute between any player and another SRU department? We now know."