There is a slow burning, but growing concern over the rules governing the whole question of international eligibility in rugby union. Since the advent of professionalism there has been some disquiet over the somewhat mercenary and opportunistic aspects where players, largely from the Southern Hemisphere, move northwards (or across the Tasman). The idea is to play club or provincial rugby for a few years before qualifying to become an international in their new adopted ‘home’. In addition we have had players and coaches feverishly studying genealogical charts in the hope of discovering some, often spurious, long dead relative having some connection to a country where an international cap would be more likely to be awarded. Some qualifications have been stretched further than a bungee rope. In recent months there has even been some recruitment being encouraged based on positions where a country’s team has been deficient in a particular shirt number. Being English I acknowledge that we have benefited from these flexible rules, but even I think that the IRB needs to take a closer look at what is becoming a serious issue.
Rugby Union – Eligibility For International Selection
Most recently we have had the debacle over the Olympic rules for the 7s’ competition in Rio in 2016 – these are so convoluted that we had the very real prospect of the door being opened for former internationals to switch allegiance for the Olympics and then to become full 15s’ internationals for that country. To their credit the IRB stepped in pretty quickly to minimise the potential for this ‘rule’ to be exploited and they are to be commended for their swift response. Money also plays a role in player movements – the lack of a salary cap in France and an extended one in the Premiership, affords the opportunity for players to maximise their earnings. I have no qualms with that – it is their livelihood after all. After next year’s World Cup, A380’s will be packed with players following the money – often on two year contracts, so that they can return home in time to be considered for Japan in 2019. It won’t just be internationals either; others will undoubtedly be hedging their bets and considering staying on an extra year if it looks like they’ll get a look in for a cap in their temporary home. Whilst this might augur well, in particular for the home nations, there is an inherent danger in this fluidity of movement – Les Bleus already appear to be suffering from the influx of senior talent. How long before this might start to affect the English national side? Paradoxically, one solution might well be in the four year gap between World Cups – if the IRB were to stretch qualification to 4 or maybe 5 years then it may stem at least some of the strategic moves by players and coaches designed to take advantage of easy eligibility. Aspiring internationals wouldn’t be able to hemisphere jump for a shorter period between World Cups to just ‘see how it goes’. I don’t pretend this is a perfect solution and there will still be the potential for ‘grannygate’ situations but there needs to be some serious thinking from the guys in charge.
Unusually this has been a serious piece from me, completely bare of expletives – the same cannot be said for my blog – www.rugbyoldbloke.wordpress.com – adults only please!
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