RFU pulls the plug on foreign invasion
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:07
Pulling the plug: England boss Rob Andrew
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) of England will offer £16-million pounds (just over US$29-million) worth of rewards to clubs who don't overload their rosters with foreign players.
Britain's Daily Mail newspaper reported the influx of foreign talent has the RFU scared it could spell the end of its national leagues being used for the development of British talent - in the same way foreigners now dominate the soccer premiership at the expense of the English national side.
RFU Director of Elite Rugby Rob Andrew, said the Guinness Premiership was made up of about 65 percent English players and 35 percent foreign imports.
"In football [soccer] it's the other way round. If our English-qualified figure starts to fall, then that will begin to affect the national team. There can be no question that is starting to happen in soccer."
The Daily Mail said foreign players have not had an entirely negative impact, with New Zealanders Lesley Vainikolo, Henry Paul (both former Rugby League players) and Mark van Gisbergen all finding their way into the English side.
Andrew said the intention was to keep the player balance around the current 65/35 level.
Starting next season the RFU will offer £210,000 (about US$383,000) to each club which ensures that throughout the year, an average of least 14 of their 22-man squads are English nationals.
The reward will rise towards £300,000 (about US$548,000) for those who go beyond the minimum.
Andrew said the scheme should not be taken as the RFU saying all foreign players were not welcome.
"We do not have an issue with quality foreign players. Where we do have an issue is with the run-of-the-mill foreign players who stand in the way of the development of young English players."
SAPA
