RFU abandons cross-code raids
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:43
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) of England has conceded that the policy of raiding Rugby League's ranks for talent has been a failure and has abandoned the policy of helping to fund cross-code transfers.
While very few will argue that Jason Robinson's move from Rugby League to Rugby Union was a huge success - and he was indeed a crucial cog in the 2003 World Cup-winning England side - very few other big-name League players made a successful transition.
Players likes of Andy Farrell, Henry Paul and Chev Walker made switched codes with limited success and none of them had the same impact as Robinson.
"We've made it very clear our policy is not to recruit league players," RFU Director of Elite Rugby Rob Andrew told BBC.
"That's because of the structure in terms of how we're funding the clubs and the top end of the game."
League players are still moving to Union, with Bradford Bulls centre Shontayne Hape recently moving to Bath and promising Leeds back Danny Williams switching to Newcastle Falcons.
But the union clubs involved in those deals have had to find the finances without assistance from the RFU.
"It would have to be an extraordinary situation for [England manager] Martin Johnson to come to us recommending a League player and for us to sign him," said Andrew.
"But if there was a player like that then it's very likely that he would not already have been signed by a Gloucester or Bath.
"That's because these players are being shifted around the market-place the whole time."
