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Two Premiership veterans could be about to switch to Major League Rugby

Chris Wyles

Two veteran Premiership players are eyeing up a switch to Major League Rugby (MLR) in America – RugbyPass understands.

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The MLR is the latest attempt in the US at a sustainable professional league. The seven-team tournament kicked off last month in their bid to succeed where both ProRugby America and the NRFL failed, and have enjoyed healthy crowds in their early season matches.

Under the current league regulations, each team is allowed to sign up to five overseas players, and it is already home to Tonga’s Fetu’u Vainikolo, former Biarritz speedster Takudzwa Ngwenya, Springbok Pedrie Wanneburg and Eagles veteran Todd Clever.

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A source has told RugbyPass that both Saracens wing Chris Wyles and Northampton Saint’s Ben Foden and are both linked with moves stateside.

Wyles is said to be negotiations with the San Diego Legion and is hoping to play a final year of professional rugby in a bid to remain in contention for Eagles selection ahead of the 2019 Rugby World in Japan.

Wyles announced that he would retire from the game at the end of his current season with Saracens but the prospect of playing in another World Cup could be enough to change his mind.

Wyles, who joined Saracens in 2008, has made 243 appearances for the club scoring 67 tries and is one of the most versatile players in the game.

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Meanwhile, Foden, who today announced he would be leaving Northampton Saints at the end of the season, is also interested in playing in the burgeoning professional game in America, and RugbyPass understands that he has had talks with more than one team.

Foden, who has appeared 250 times for Northampton Saints, indicated that he is not retiring from the game.

“I still feel fit and hungry for competitive rugby, and while now is the time to move on, I am really excited for what the next chapter holds in store for me”.

Both are decorated Premiership veterans whose huge experience could be massively beneficial to any of the MLR’s seven fledgling sides.

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Foden has played 249 times for Saints and 34 times for the England scoring seven tries, including two during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The 32-year-old played a remarkable 22 games at fullback during Saints’ double-winning season as Northampton claimed both the Challenge Cup and Premiership titles in the 2014/15 season.

The American born Wyles has also captained the USA for whom he made over fifty appearances and featured for his country at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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