RFU Toughens Stance On Overseas Players

The Rugby Football Union has issued a sound warning to English players
plying their trade overseas that they run the risk of not being selected
for the national team after the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

England currently have three members of their senior elite squad in Jonny Wilkinson, James Haskell and Tom Palmer all playing club rugby in the French championship.

But RFU chief executive John Steele warned them and any others playing abroad that they would only be selected for the team under  ‘exceptional circumstances’.

The strong statement is due to the RFU’s belief that to win the World Cup on home soil in 2015, the players have to be in England.

Steele wrote a letter to all players that states: ‘As things stand we have a number of elite players in various squads and clubs outside England, principally in France, and you may be considering that as your next career move.’

‘If that is the case then I wanted to let you know that it is our view that we are best served by having our England Elite Player Squad and our England Qualified Players all playing in England at English clubs.’

‘So I would like to confirm that it is our strong intent, from the end of Rugby World Cup 2011 through the RWC 2015 cycle, to select our Elite Player Squads at all levels entirely from players playing at English clubs where at all possible.’

Steele went on to stress that players are free to choose to play the game for overseas teams but added: ‘It is for you and your agent to decide if you are willing to take that risk.’