James Anderson has played four matches in the County Championship for his native county this summer, not a lot, admittedly, but twice as many as Alun Wyn Jones made for his native region in the PRO14 last winter.
The facts provide a stark example of the growing disconnect of those centrally-contracted Test players from the arenas where they learnt their trade. While English cricket has learnt to live with it, Welsh rugby continues to suffer from the all-consuming demands of the national team.
The on-going plight of the country’s regional quartet prompted no less a figure than Sean Fitzpatrick to highlight an issue which has bedevilled the European game in general and Wales in particular. As the All Blacks’ finest hooker of all time said: “We need our international players playing more club rugby.’’
Eminent figures of just about every political hue have been saying precisely that for years. A classic example springs to mind from 2006 when Munster played successive matches in Cardiff at the start and end of that summer.
They made history from the first, beating Biarritz in the European Cup final. They turned the next visit into a non-event, rendering their first appearance as champions of Europe a box-office flop by resting their entire international pack from a Magners League match against Cardiff at the Arms Park.
Denne historien er fra August 29, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra August 29, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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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.
