England snub for France-based players
Print Edition
THE last two players of the year in European club rugby were overlooked when England announced its 50-man training squad for the Rugby World Cup yesterday.
Yet there was room for a rugby-league convert just 19 games into his union career.
England coach Stuart Lancaster made a number of difficult calls when he named his enlarged group for the tournament, notably in omitting Steffon Armitage and Nick Abendanon — the last two European players of the year — because they play in France.
Since 2011, England has had a policy of not picking overseas-based players except in “exceptional circumstances” — and Lancaster was not prepared to activate that clause.
“We want to see all of our players play for English clubs,” Lancaster said. “We believe it’s our responsibility as national coaches to protect the health of the English game.”
Armitage, in particular, was making a strong case for inclusion after three years of impressive displays for reigning three-time European champion Toulon.
Burgess survived the cut after barely half a year in the 15-man game following his high-profile cross-code switch from Australian side South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.
Winger Chris Ashton, widely regarded as the best finisher in England, was recalled after doubts over his defensive game led him to being dropped by Lancaster for much of the last 18 months.
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