David Ribbans in England squad

I share your sentiment on watching other players turn up for other countries. I felt the same about Barrit turning up for England at 12. 

Back then we had Jean and Meisiekind but I felt Jake messed that one up as he was our genuine 12. 

That said, if you look at our depth at lock and the quotas before him, I don't blame the kid. 

Hyron Andrews and Marvin Orrie were piss poor this weekend

It’s a provisional Squad, he may never even play for us. 

You know my opinion on foreign players turning out for England. 

Saffex, whether he plays or not is not the point. He shouldn’t be included. 

The Squad is minus all teams playing in the play offs and Sale, just in case they get to play their final game, so that’s a lot of missing players. 

becs, you are right just read that they are trying to prepare for the Italy clash, but to counter argue your point. It is Italy and they probably want to start blooding some youngsters. 

But other than Itoje, they don't have great locks. I think Launchburry, Laws are good players but just don't have the same ability as some of the best locks in the world which we seem to have in buckets 

Lawes isn’t an option, he injured himself in our last match on Tues night. Going to be out for a long time. 

We have other options, just not picking them. 

becs get with it guy.

You have many players (born outside the UK) who have added strength to all sport in the UK both in local and international games.

Even with that added advantage during the Rugby WC 2019 you guys failed miserably in the final.

So don't point fingers at "IMPORTS" because in many cases SA players have had to move overseas to further their careers and earnings.

David Ribbans will be the next Saffer to represent England.

Be proud because his talent has been recognized by another country and not his own.  

I’m not a guy, AJH, I’m female. 

Secondly, the player’s have not all improved our teams at all. They serve to take jobs and earnings from home grown players and destroy careers......do you see the hypocrisy here ? That your players have to leave for money and careers whilst destroying others ? No ? 

I’m not remotely proud and I say that as a lifelong Northampton supporter. 

Becs, are you proposing that a far better overseas player in any certain position... definitely not be picked... instead of a average local homebred player?

So no matter what, always pick local players irrespective of how good any overseas player i s?

That is almost as bad as picking a quota player just because of his skin colour….. you don't want to pick a overseas imported player purely because a local player could lose earnings or a career....

Some clarity would be helpful 

My stance is that local players should always be picked to represent their country, or else what is the point in having national teams ? 

So pick any and all inferior local players over all the better overseas players...….. how do you provide or instill experience and confidence to your younger player s if they are constantly and permanently surrounded by inferior players.... get drilled every week  

I fully get what you are saying, and to a degree I certainly do agree with you, but whilst we open that door..... I wonder how many Man United and Liverpool players are actually from those towns or even from the UK itself.....

Where does it stop

"My stance is that local players should always be picked to represent their country, or else what is the point in having national teams?" 

And if a family moves to another country with a young family, and at some point later on, that youngster is picked to play for his new country......is that ok?

I still fondly remember the Quince.

Ja, feel the same sentiment...idealism versus reality. 

Unfortunately that's what the world has become... sentimental, patriotic values are being eroded by filthy lucre but there is nothing powerful, we find, that  our personal values can had a say.

Looking back when rugby was conflicting with traditional sentiments and business, the old stalwart, Doc Craven was against commercial and professional rugby. He was a conservative traditionalist and his purist values were often ridiculed. 

Everything in life has a price however and as Churchill said : You cannot please everybody all of the time, only some of the people some of the time.

Sport today is business and patriotic sentiments are diminished into clubs, franchises and eventually into countries through economic reasons.

"You cannot have your cake and eat it."

becs, I beg forgiveness as I assumed incorrectly.

AJH....forgiveness for thinking I was a bloke ? ??