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Foden: Stateside - A RugbyPass Original documentary


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In 2018 former England full-back Ben Foden shocked the rugby world when he confirmed a switch to the newly formed Rugby United New York and Major League Rugby, America’s emerging professional rugby venture.

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It was a maverick move from the 33-year-old international veteran.

Moving to a country and a league where his 34 England caps and tabloid celebrity meant little and where he would need to prove himself all over again.

RugbyPass’ Jim Hamilton goes behind the scenes with Ben as he forges a new life for himself in the Big Apple, away from the tabloid eye and the headlines he left behind in the UK.

Jim finds a man on a mission, trying to find himself in an alien city, plying his trade in a fledgeling league and in a RUNY team where his voice resonates like never before.

Can Ben mix it with America’s finest rugby talent in the rough and ready MLR? Can the MLR become the sustainable professional league America so dearly needs? Can the veteran ex-Northampton Saint rekindle his love for the game after over a decade as a professional rugby player?

Find out in ‘Foden – Stateside’.

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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