RFU just days away from issuing edict on player eligibilty and Brexit
The uncertainty of Brexit is far from helpful for UK-based rugby teams looking to plan for the coming seasons, however the Gallagher Premiership clubs have been given a welcome level of stability heading into the 2019/20 campaign.
The threat of a no-deal Brexit is one that could have serious ramifications for English, Scottish and Welsh rugby, several of which RugbyPass looked into in-depth back in December, before the extension to the deadline to leave the European Union that was agreed in March.
All three nations make significant use of the Kolpak agreement, which allows freedom of work and movement within the EU for citizens of a number of non-EU countries, such as South Africa, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
The recent announcement by the English Cricket Board that a no-deal Brexit could remove Kolpak players from the county game has raised concerns of similar issues in rugby.
In terms of the Premiership clubs and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) regulations, the Kolpak agreement enables those players to be deemed as ‘non-foreign’, just as players owning passports from EU nations are also categorised thusly. Only two ‘foreign’ players allowed on the pitch at any one time from a single club.
The RFU regulations for the 2019/20 season will be published on August 1st and RugbyPass understands that those regulations will retain a clause from last season that stipulates that if a player’s status were to alter mid-season from ‘non-foreign’ to ‘foreign’ due to the UK leaving the EU without a deal, their statuses as ‘non-foreign’ would remain until the end of the current season.
With several clubs, such as Sale Sharks and Gloucester, having invested heavily in South African talent over the last couple of seasons, this will at least provide them with security over the eligibility of their squad until the summer of 2020.
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), who oversee the Heineken Champions and Challenge Cups, have the same limit on ‘foreign’ players, although in their regulations this is stated as a maximum of two ‘non-European players’.
EPCR have confirmed to RugbyPass that ‘European’ in their regulations will continue to be defined as it is in the Cotonou Agreement, which is a relationship with the EU rather than the geographical region of Europe, although UK nationals will still be considered to be ‘European’ when registering for the Champions and Challenge Cups, irrespective of a no-deal Brexit.
The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on October 31st without a deal, however if the Withdrawal Agreement is passed earlier than that, the UK would leave on the 1st of the month following its passing.
The opening round of pool matches in the Champions and Challenge Cups are due to begin on November 15th, which creates not only uncertainty for clubs and players, but also fans seeking to travel in and out of the UK.
Watch: Samoan players are in need of funds to head to the Rugby World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson 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.
5 Go to comments