Aaron Mauger: Reduce fixtures or risk injury increase

Leicester head coach Aaron Mauger has demanded a reduction in the number of games in order to reduce the risk of player burnout.
With the current international calendar expiring in 2019, new World Rugby boss Bill Beaumont has identified season structure as his No.1 priority.
Mauger reckons the current crowded schedule is unsustainable and places too many demands on top players to perform year round.
He told TRP: “My biggest concern is players play too much rugby and to have only four to six weeks off over the summer is mad. We're asking too much physically and emotionally of these young guys to be at a high level for 46-48 weeks a year.
“That's why we have so many injuries. A lot of those injuries are on the back of fatigue and people not being mentally in the right space to play rugby.
“There are a lot of challenges for World Rugby to iron through and that's the biggest. If you took some games away, whether it's internationally or domestically, you'd get the balance right and have a better game.
“Games are important because that's what keeps us in jobs, but we need to do what's best for the players. At the moment they're all just pawns in the game.”
One Tigers player in little danger of burnout is Manu Tuilagi, who Mauger insists will be fit and firing for England's tour to Australia after his latest bout of orthopaedic trauma.
The centre, right, returned to claim a Six Nations spot in March after 18 months out with a groin issue, but then suffered a knee injury playing for Leicester in last month's Champions Cup semi-final against Racing 92.
Tuilagi returned to full fitness ahead of yesterday's clash with Saracens, although he went off in that match with a hamstring injury.
Mauger added: “Manu's really important for us and he draws attention to himself with his power game, but he's been working hard to bring more subtlety to other parts of his game and maximise the threat of those around him.
“People know that when they're marking Manu it's going to be a tough day, but the challenge for us is to make sure he's not just a one-trick pony. He's only going to get better and better now and he's got a great attitude to learning. He's thirsty for growth.
“Whatever England want from Manu we'll commit to and being on that tour rather than having time off wouldn't be a negative thing.
“If Manu can go and sharpen his tools it would be great for us.
“We'll manage him well when he comes back so it could be a win-win for both us and England.”
Two other Tigers players Mauger believes should have a part to play for England this summer are lock Dom Barrow and hooker Harry Thacker.
He added: “Dom's been competing against quality guys like Graham Kitchener, Ed Slater and Mike Fitzgerald but he's been almost impossible to leave out. He's very physical, covers a lot of ground and his output is terrific – he makes 20-25 tackles a game and deserves a Test chance.
“I'm sure the England selectors are looking very closely at him and Harry Thacker's a very special player as well.
“He started the season as our number three or four hooker but has elevated himself to No.1 in all our recent big games.
“While the challenge is his size, he more than held his own against a really big Racing pack.
“He works very hard and if he can maintain his consistency, there's no reason why he couldn't make the step up and play international footy.”
NEALE HARVEY