Dawson's toughest ever decision

Clive Woodward and Matt Dawson train on Wednesday

In his latest exclusive column Matt Dawson tells BBC Sport Online about the stresses and strains he endured during rugby union's pay dispute.

All I can say about the events of the past few days is that it was the worst thing I have ever had to do.

Obviously I'm just relieved it has been resolved.

On Monday evening we had a meeting to finally negotiate our contract with the RFU.

It ended late without agreement and we then spoke to the rest of the players.

The players were fully briefed and it was their own decision to unanimously to withdraw their labour and not play at the weekend.

The amount of money, between the original offer and the one accepted, was not a great deal but what we have to remember is we are dealing with people's livelihoods

  Matt Dawson

On Tuesday this was reported in the media after which the RFU and Clive Woodward said we must report by 11:00 GMT if we were to be picked for Saturday.

To a man it was the hardest decision the players have had to make, not only in their playing careers but in their lives.

It was a worst case scenario, it was very difficult and it was a last resort.

We spent all of Tuesday talking to the players and to Peter Wheeler, who had brokered between ourselves and the management board.

Compromise

The management board was fully aware of the players' position and what we wanted the contract to deliver.

On Tuesday evening, myself and players' representatives Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson were told a meeting had been arranged with the management board for Wednesday morning.

At 8am on Wednesday we met with Peter Wheeler and Francis Baron and there was another offer on the table.

The offer involved a compromise from both parties.

I think, as people at the top of their profession, they deserved a higher guaranteed amount because it is their job

  Matt Dawson

As we have said from the very beginning, we thought we should have a higher guaranteed income, and that was one of the reasons, along with the principle of the matter, behind why the original offer was turned down.

We have not had to sacrifice any of our original demands. We have not backed down in any way. Both parties have reached an amicable agreement.

There was no misunderstanding, as has been suggested, because at the end of the day, the deal we have recommended to the players involves a higher guaranteed income.

Livelihoods

All the other factors in the contract we fully understand.

Greed was not a factor. Far from it.

The amount of money, between the original offer and the one accepted, was not a great deal but what we have to remember is we are dealing with people's livelihoods.

A small percentage of the players in the squad earn the figures being quoted in the papers but the vast majority do not earn nearly as much.

I think, as people at the top of their profession, they deserved a higher guaranteed amount because it is their job.

Dawson: passionate after the win over Australia

Their mortgages, and families rely on this.

Careers can be cut short at any time. It can be any unfortunate reason but to reach 33 or 34 is a good age to still be playing rugby and is not usually the norm.

As far as the situation now betweeen England coach Clive Woodward and the players, I can say we are very much looking forward to getting back to working with him and playing for him on Saturday.

The whole squad fully understands that Clive could not agree in any way with what we did and that he was not happy with our decision.

However the playing staff's main aim now is to go out and perform to the best of their ability on Saturday.

As far as the players and management are concerned, this is the end of the matter for the contract negotiations.

We have spoken to him and aired our views and we have made the decision to crack on.

I have no idea whether the players' action will have any bearing on Clive's selection for Saturday.