Jeff Probyn column: Our home grow talent is blocked by foreign imports

Interesting article in the rugby paper, Jeff Probyn goes on about the hardships for our younger players trying to make the grade in professional rugby and how they are being hindered by foreign imports.

I actually find this quote interesting, a player actually choosing not to play for the country of his birth, but rather snub the opportunity to represent his country at the world cup to leave his chances of representing England open to him:-




This is why the residency rules should be looked at, three years is seriously not enough. He also makes a good point about substance abuse at a lower level, and how the pressures to succeed are causing more grass roots players to take steroids. Does anyone else agree with him ?

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/columnists/jeff-probyn/24602/jeff-probyn-column-our-home-grow-talent-is-blocked-by-foreign-imports/

3 years is too low a mark. Looking forward to having Hughes though, quality player.

No 7&1/2 wrote:3 years is too low a mark. Looking forward to having Hughes though, quality player.

Where would that leave Vunipola though?

Battling it out for 8 with Morgan and Hughes. Not sure if Hughes has played 6 for Wasps much if at all but think he'd be a realistic option there as well. Will be great competition for them all anyway and hopefully push them to become better.