Backlash from fans over RFU's potential U-turn on England not picking overseas-based players
A backlash from fans has followed the recent refusal by Rugby Football Union chief Bill Sweeney to rule out the possibility of England picking overseas players in the wake of Saracens’ relegation.
The reigning Gallagher Premiership champions were automatically relegated on Saturday for breaching the salary cap, which may result in an exodus of players – either permanently or on loan – who want to continue playing in Europe’s premier competitions next season.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, this may result in players moving to French clubs, partly due to the higher wages than Premiership clubs, but also to avoid moving to rival teams in England.
How good would they look in these French club colours? https://t.co/qCEfGCe6Tk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 21, 2020
The RFU announced in 2010 that any overseas player after the 2011 World Cup would not be selected for England unless there were “exceptional circumstances”.
Since then, England have missed out on the chance of picking players such as Clermont’s Nick Abendanon and former Toulon loose forward Steffon Armitage, both of whom were named the European player of the year during their time in France.
(Continue reading below…)
Eddie Jones insists the Saracens scandal could be beneficial to England
However, “exceptional circumstances” is rather vague, which does open the door to picking Saracens players in the event of them moving abroad. This is not necessarily just to France, as some players have been rumoured to be moving further afield.
But many people on social media have objected to this announcement, believing it is unfair on those players over the past decade who have missed out on representing their country.
I don't think overseas players should be picked, again this is a rule or they should of picked the Armitage brothers while they were playing in France and they were quality players.
— Nick (@Nick_1971_) January 22, 2020
While those players did know the ruling when they moved to France, it is even more unfair on those that have opted to remain in England to further their international career.
Manu Tuilagi is just one player that has been mentioned, as he rejected a potentially lucrative move to the Top 14’s Racing 92 last year in order to remain eligible for England.
So all those England players who chose to go to France and lost the chance to play. Can they no consider legal action?
— Franklin'sFan? (@DiSaint14) January 21, 2020
So RFU are considering changing their stance on players playing for foreign teams due to the Sarries farce
Sorry but how many players in the past have had to forgo playing for their country to ensure financial stability ? https://t.co/nvSWPndT0p— DuchessofSheepsTown (@DfRugbygirl) January 21, 2020
Some people have even suggested this may have legal ramifications, as those formerly overlooked players may take action against the RFU for being unfairly treated.
Basically cheats do prosper then. Talk about ripping England rugby to pieces, tuilagi had to stay in england to play for his country and not pursue a mega money deal. That's just one example of one player who would be screwed over.
— Luke Roper (@LukeRoper6) January 21, 2020
That's bound to please those players who were told to gtf by England when they went to play for clubs in France.
— Alastair Campbell (@RadarLanark) January 22, 2020
This very situation that the current Saracens players find themselves in may justifiably be what the RFU deems to be exceptional circumstances, particularly if they only move on loan for a season and are set to return to Saracens.
Of course, no player has announced such a move yet. But as these are unprecedented circumstances, the RFU and Premiership Rugby may need to encounter each new problem when it arises.
WATCH: Andy Goode and Brendan Venter get into heated debate on The Rugby Pod over the Saracens salary scandal
Comments on RugbyPass
Dickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
1 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to comments