NFR Any english rugby fans, look what snuck under the radar today

[os5889]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/9250944.stm

England to only pick home-based players from 2011

The Rugby Football Union has written to players to say England intend to only select players who play for domestic clubs following the 2011 World Cup.
Three members of the England squad - Jonny Wilkinson, Tom Palmer and James Haskell - currently play overseas.
RFU chief executive John Steele said players would be "entirely free to play outside England should they so wish".
But he added: "It is our absolute intention we only select from overseas clubs in exceptional circumstances."
Steele said it was not a change in selection policy from England, who have always stated their preference for players to stay in the country.
But in writing to players, the RFU has made a clear statement that it will take a dim view of players moving abroad and Steele added: "It is for you and your agent to decide if you are willing to take that risk."
It is our strong intent, from the end of Rugby World Cup 2011 through the RWC 2015 cycle, to select our Elite Player Squads at all levels entirely from players playing at English clubs where at all possible
RFU chief John Steele
World Cup-winning fly-half Wilkinson, who missed the November Tests through injury, has a contract with Toulon which runs until the end of the season.
Palmer, who started all four autumn Tests, and Haskell, who started one, both play for Parisian club Stade Francais.
Palmer has one more year left on his contract after this season and it is understood he would not be penalised for that, unless he signs an extension, while Haskell's contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
Other England internationals playing abroad, but not currently in the squad, include Paul Sackey and Dean Schofield at Toulon and Magnus Lund at Biarritz, while Danny Cipriani has joined Australian side Melbourne Rebels.
French clubs are currently the wealthiest in global rugby, and a host of world stars have moved there in recent times, including New Zealand prop Carl Hayman - another of Toulon's acquisitions - and Racing Metro's South African star Frans Steyn.
Among England players believed to be eyeing a move to France after the World Cup is Sale's loose-head prop Andrew Sheridan, who has been linked with Toulon.
Sale coach Mike Brewer said: "Sherri is having a look at France after the next World Cup. He's possibly done everything he would want to in England."
Steele said England wanted their players to be domestically based in order to maximise their chances of winning the 2015 World Cup, which England are hosting.
"As things stand today we have a number of elite players in various squads and clubs outside England, principally in France, and you may be considering that as your next career move," Steele said in his letter to players and their agents.
"If that is the case then I wanted to let you know that it is our view that we are best served by having our England Elite Player Squad (EPS) and our England-Qualified Players (EQPs) all playing in England at English clubs.
"We feel that enables our whole elite department, including team management and coaches, as well as our technical, medical and sports science teams, to work more closely with EPS players to ensure that you are supported in the right way.
"We further believe this is easier to achieve working with the Premiership and Championship clubs with whom we have excellent relationships at all levels.
"So I would like to confirm that it is our strong intent, from the end of Rugby World Cup 2011 through the RWC 2015 cycle, to select our Elite Player Squads at all levels entirely from players playing at English clubs where at all possible."

[The Equalizer]

Interesting article Owen. However, if the RFU are doing this in England, what of other nations? It seems a tad unfair for English players to be stuck at home when Aussies, Kiwis and the like can play wherever they wish.

[os5889]

Interesting article Owen. However, if the RFU are doing this in England, what of other nations? It seems a tad unfair for English players to be stuck at home when Aussies, Kiwis and the like can play wherever they wish.

SA and Wales have actually abandoned this policy in the last 6 months. I believe the all blacks do only pick from their home based players.

Its a great idea in principle as it encourages a stronger home league and quality breeds quality.

However with the wage cap in England its a bit harsh and there must be some employment rules? They can earn 5 x more in Wales, Ireland or France.

A debate brewing!

[Rambling_Syd_Rumpo]

fully agree with this,the Aussies have been doing this in rugby league for years-keeps the young talent in the home league that trained them,nothing wrong with that at all :54:

[os5889]

I agreed with it too until I remember hearing Dwayne Peel - a hero of mine a few years ago make a salient point.

It got to the stage to play for Wales meant living in Newport, Swansea, Llanelli or Cardiff. For him this was Llanelli on a permanent basis for the rest of his career. Going to England even was a whole new world of forward orientated rugby giving him an experience of  the game beyond the happy go lucky running stuff we've been playing.

Pluses

Home game gets stronger.

Minuses

Have to stay in that country indefinately

Negotiation international windows

Freedom of trade (wage caps)

[Hazey]

How about only being able to play for the country you have spent most of your life in?  Qualifying through residency is crap and dilutes the whole pride in the jumper vibe in my opinion.

This should go for all sports.