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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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
