Joe Marchant Mark Maccall Steve Borthwick Jack Willis Britain France Football Rugby on Joe Marchant Mark Maccall Steve Borthwick Jack Willis Britain France

Despite England's woes, Premiership Rugby chief says ban on picking overseas players will stay

news24.com

England's policy of refusing to select overseas-based players for international duty is set to remain, according to Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor.The aim of the approach is to ensure the country's leading stars remain at home, strengthening the Premiership and giving the England head coach greater control over his players.Jack Willis, however, was selected during the recent Six Nations under an "exceptional circumstance" clause after the flanker joined French giants Toulouse following the financial collapse of Wasps.

England coach Steve Borthwick has called for an easing of the policy so he can select the "best players available", with several Test players, including hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, lock David Ribbans and centre Joe Marchant all having signed to play for clubs in France's Top 14 from next season.But the new Professional Game Agreement that will take effect from July 2024 is set to be unchanged in this regard."From the RFU's (Rugby Football Union's), ours and even the players' perspective we all see the importance of England internationals playing domestically," Massie-Taylor told Britain's PA news agency."Provisions exist for exceptional circumstances that will probably still carry on going forward, but we all agree England international players should be playing in the Premiership."Saracens coach Mark McCall has urged the RFU to follow the example of other countries by bringing in central contracts for England players.Clubs are increasingly concerned that players they develop will end up spending large chunks of the season on England duty.Premiership clubs are operating in a precarious financial environment -- Worcester and Wasps were kicked out of the English top flight after going

Related News
England flanker Jack Willis has signed fresh terms at French club Toulouse, putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal. His contract was due to expire after the current season following his move from Wasps in November, but his extension could mean he is banned from representing England.
Maro Itoje has called on Premiership Rugby to halt the player exodus to France as he refused to rule out moving overseas when his Saracens contract expires next year.
Mike Brown supports the idea of central contracts for England players as a way to ease the burden on clubs operating in a bleak financial climate. Brown's own career will continue into the 2023-24 season when he will be 38 years old after he agreed a contract extension with Leicester, who have seen enough during five appearances to extend his initial short-term deal.
I t is amazing how swiftly perceptions can change in sport. Remember how English cricket once revolved around the County Championship until Twenty20 cricket and the Indian Premier League came along? Or the days when the most famous footballers in England ran pubs in retirement to help make ends meet? Progress can sweep aside old-school certainties quicker than you can say leather balls and neat side partings.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.