One of the most important aspects is that the sport has to be sustainable around the world, and at the moment it is not, which can be seen by the problems experienced in the English club game.
The plain fact, which is being ignored almost everywhere, is that if you want a healthy sport you pay the players what you can afford, and not any more than that.
The knock-on effects of organisations like the RFU and Premiership trying to stop players moving to overseas leagues for better wages by denying them the opportunity to play international rugby is a false storm.
The reality, even in countries like France, is that the Top 14 clubs have a limited amount of overseas players that they can sign because of strict French Federation rules on the high number of French-qualified players each club must have. It means that England’s international losses to Top 14 clubs would be unlikely to reach double figures and, in any case, losing players who are 30 and above, like Owen Farrell and George Ford, would not irrevocably change England’s future.
Maybe losing Maro Itoje would be more of an issue, but if he went to France for two or three seasons and returned the year before the World Cup to a Premiership club, it would not be a disaster. If we cannot compete at the moment with the French and Irish on wages, so be it, because at least rugby union in England would be sustainable.
One of the aspects of this World Cup that really jolted me was the intensity of the quarter-finals, and especially those between France and South Africa, and New Zealand and Ireland.
I loved those quarter-finals because of their quality, drama and ferocity – and it was the same to a lesser extent with the France v New Zealand opener, and the Ireland v South Africa pool clash.
この記事は The Rugby Paper の November 26, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Rugby Paper の November 26, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.