England to ignore overseas players
Source: Agencies |
December 3, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ENGLAND'S Rugby Football Union will emulate New Zealand and Australia by refusing to select players based at overseas clubs following the 2011 World Cup.
Stade Francais lock Tom Palmer was the only such player in England's matchday squad for last week's test against South Africa, but high-profile players including Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Cipriani and James Haskell also play overseas.
The RFU has written to players to inform them of a policy it hopes will boost the home side's chances of winning the 2015 World Cup when it is hosted in England.
South Africa abandoned the policy in 2008 when the number of top players seeking lucrative contracts in Europe threatened to weaken its side.
RFU chief executive John Steele wrote to players and agents to warn that anyone based outside of England will only be selected for national duty under exceptional circumstances.
He wants the Elite Player Squad to be drawn solely from England until after the 2015 tournament.
"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," Steele wrote.
"We further believe this is easier to achieve working with the Premiership and Championship clubs with whom we have excellent relationships at all levels."
Steele said that players were still free to play elsewhere.
"It is for you and your agent to decide if you are willing to take that risk," he added.
Stade Francais lock Tom Palmer was the only such player in England's matchday squad for last week's test against South Africa, but high-profile players including Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Cipriani and James Haskell also play overseas.
The RFU has written to players to inform them of a policy it hopes will boost the home side's chances of winning the 2015 World Cup when it is hosted in England.
South Africa abandoned the policy in 2008 when the number of top players seeking lucrative contracts in Europe threatened to weaken its side.
RFU chief executive John Steele wrote to players and agents to warn that anyone based outside of England will only be selected for national duty under exceptional circumstances.
He wants the Elite Player Squad to be drawn solely from England until after the 2015 tournament.
"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," Steele wrote.
"We further believe this is easier to achieve working with the Premiership and Championship clubs with whom we have excellent relationships at all levels."
Steele said that players were still free to play elsewhere.
"It is for you and your agent to decide if you are willing to take that risk," he added.
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