Mike Burton won 17 caps for England between 1972 and 1978 as a player

Experienced agent Mike Burton has welcomed RFU measures to introduce a licensing system for player representatives in rugby union.

The new rules apply from 1 November and mean anyone acting for a player in England must either be an approved agent, a lawyer or a close relative.

"It follows along football lines with Fifa," Burton told BBC Gloucestershire.

"It ensures standards are maintained as high as can be and that players and clubs are represented properly."

Burton made his name as a prop for Gloucester and went on to play for England and the British Lions, before becoming a successful businessman.

He has around 40 senior players on his books, including Sale and England prop Andrew Sheridan and Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips, but now needs to be registered to do a job he has done for around 30 years.

However the new rules do not surprise him.

"It's one of those inevitable practices, from government to governing bodies, in sport and everywhere else, we continue to be bogged down by regulation," he said.

"It slows things down a little, but I've got no objection because I think people who want to represent players and or clubs will need to demonstrate their ability to do that properly.

"And for that reason I think it's a good idea."

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