Ben Youngs, England's record caps holder, is challenging the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to revise its policy that restricts national team selection to players based in the Premiership. This debate has reignited following the decision by Tom Willis to join Bordeaux, consequently rendering him ineligible for England under current rules.
The rule, established post-2011 Rugby World Cup, bars overseas-based players from representing England, barring exceptional circumstances. This clause was last activated to include Jack Willis for the 2023 World Cup after his club, Wasps, folded. Jack's choice to remain in France post-tournament meant his and now his brother Tom's exclusion from the national squad, as Tom is set to move to France next summer.
"I do wonder now whether the rule of playing abroad is now outdated,"
Youngs voiced his concerns on the podcast 'For The Love Of Rugby,' questioning the continued relevance of this rule. "It served a great purpose. It did what it was supposed to do. I do think we have got to the period where it’s served its purpose, and if you go abroad you can still be eligible. Now maybe it needs to be 20 caps, 25, I don’t know," he argued.
Conversely, Dan Cole, Youngs' co-host and fellow England centurion, supports maintaining the status quo, emphasizing the RFU's control over player welfare through game and load management — a control that would be relinquished if players based overseas were selected. "England have no control over those players if they go abroad and because of that, because of the way it is set up with the RFU, it’s not going to change," Cole stated.
The debate surfaces amid discussions of player earnings in England versus France, with Youngs noting the substantial financial lure of French clubs. He estimated that while a central contract and game fees in England might total around £550,000, offers from France could approach £800,000, guaranteed over multiple years.
With Willis out of the picture for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series against Australia, Cole suggested a back-row comprising Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, and possibly Guy Pepper. Meanwhile, Youngs sees George Ford as the likely candidate for the fly-half position against Australia, given the tight schedule.
This discussion underscores broader tensions between national allegiance and club commitments, especially in an increasingly globalized rugby landscape.
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Ben Youngs, England's record caps holder, is challenging the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to revise its policy that restricts national team selection to players based in the Premiership. This debate has reignited following the decision by Tom Willis to join Bordeaux, consequently rendering him ineligible for England under current rules.
The rule, established post-2011 Rugby World Cup, bars overseas-based players from representing England, barring exceptional circumstances. This clause was last activated to include Jack Willis for the 2023 World Cup after his club, Wasps, folded. Jack's choice to remain in France post-tournament meant his and now his brother Tom's exclusion from the national squad, as Tom is set to move to France next summer.
"I do wonder now whether the rule of playing abroad is now outdated,"
Youngs voiced his concerns on the podcast 'For The Love Of Rugby,' questioning the continued relevance of this rule. "It served a great purpose. It did what it was supposed to do. I do think we have got to the period where it’s served its purpose, and if you go abroad you can still be eligible. Now maybe it needs to be 20 caps, 25, I don’t know," he argued.
Conversely, Dan Cole, Youngs' co-host and fellow England centurion, supports maintaining the status quo, emphasizing the RFU's control over player welfare through game and load management — a control that would be relinquished if players based overseas were selected. "England have no control over those players if they go abroad and because of that, because of the way it is set up with the RFU, it’s not going to change," Cole stated.
The debate surfaces amid discussions of player earnings in England versus France, with Youngs noting the substantial financial lure of French clubs. He estimated that while a central contract and game fees in England might total around £550,000, offers from France could approach £800,000, guaranteed over multiple years.
With Willis out of the picture for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series against Australia, Cole suggested a back-row comprising Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, and possibly Guy Pepper. Meanwhile, Youngs sees George Ford as the likely candidate for the fly-half position against Australia, given the tight schedule.
This discussion underscores broader tensions between national allegiance and club commitments, especially in an increasingly globalized rugby landscape.