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'I don't think England have enough quality to ignore the overseas rule'
By Josh Raisey
Lawrence Dallaglio has called for England to address their current overseas rule, claiming the “financial landscape” of rugby has changed.
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England are currently not allowed to select players that are not competing in the Gallagher Premiership- a rule that has been in place since the 2011 World Cup.
That has proven to be problematic at times over the past decade, with players such as Steffon Armitage and Nick Abendanon thriving while in the Top 14. However, the rule has never been under such scrutiny, with an increasing number of England players making the move abroad, not helped by the demise of Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish last season.
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Four members of England’s World Cup squad are now based in France, with a further handful linked with moves away from the Gallagher Premiership. Former captain Owen Farrell is, of course, the biggest name that has been linked with a move to France, but the league already possesses some of England’s brightest talents.
One of those is Toulouse’s Jack Willis, who highlighted what an operator he is against Bath on Sunday in the Investec Champions Cup. This led to Dallaglio’s calls for England to change their current policy on TNT Sports after the match, where he said it was an idea that head coach Steve Borthwick supports.
“When you speak to the people at Toulouse, they can’t quite understand why he doesn’t get picked for England more, because they’ve see a real gem in there,” the former England captain said.
“He’s signed for one more year, so he has this season and then up to the end of 2024/25 season.
“I don’t think England have enough quality at the moment to ignore the overseas rule as it is. They’ve got to change it. I know Steve Borthwick wants to change it- he won’t say it publicly but you have to.
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“We understand why that law was brought in, as why Australia had the Giteau Law, and [Warren] Gatland has Gatland’s Law. The financial landscape of rugby has changed for the foreseeable future in England. I don’t think suddenly there’s going to be a flood of players going over the France or Japan.
“You have to look at that law. With Tom Curry being injured, I don’t think we have anyone with Jack Willis’ skill set in the England squad. I’ve looked at the whole back row, and I know we don’t. So England are missing out on having one of the best flankers, playing for one of the best European teams, why can he not play for England?”
