Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

No plans to change eligibility rules - Sweeney

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 09 April 2024 11:23

There are no plans to change England's eligibility rules, says Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney.

Rules state that players selected for England must compete in the Premiership.

Sweeney said departing players have had conversations with head coach Steve Borthwick and "partly a lifestyle choice" was their reason for leaving.

"If you look at the number of players going abroad, it doesn't really impact our core group," Sweeney said.

"Where we currently stand on the policy of only selecting players based in England stays as it is."

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell will move to Racing 92 at the end of season. He will be joined in the Top 14 by England internationals Kyle Sinckler, who has joined Toulon for next season, with Northampton's Lewis Ludlam expected to follow.

This comes after World Cup squad members Jack Willis and Henry Arundell, who both moved to France after the demise of Wasps and London Irish, opted to extend their contracts with Toulouse and Racing and rule out a return to the Premiership ahead of this season.

"If you actually look at the players we've got abroad, they probably made a decision in terms of 'where's my England career currently?'" he added.

"'Am I in contention for a place in those hybrid contracts? Am I in that core group of England players going forward?'"

England centre Manu Tuilagi will also leave Sale Sharks at the end of the season to join Bayonne.

Former Harlequins centre Joe Marchant moved to Stade Francais after starting in the centre for England with Tuilagi during the World Cup, but is rumoured to be considering a return to the Premiership.

"There are maybe one or two that you think we would rather have over here," Sweeney added.

"Joe Marchant is rumoured to be coming back to the Premiership this year, so from our perspective, we are okay with it.

"We think there is a performance advantage to having those players based in your own country."

Read 94 times

Soccer

NL quarterfinal draw: Spain to face Netherlands

NL quarterfinal draw: Spain to face Netherlands

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe draw for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals was made on Frid...

Premier League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates

Premier League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFind out who is missing through injury, who's in a race against tim...

Premier League changes APT rules after City case

Premier League changes APT rules after City case

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Premier League has announced changes to its Associated Party Tr...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Pistons' Cunningham exits vs. Hornets after fall

Pistons' Cunningham exits vs. Hornets after fall

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Detroit guard Cade Cunningham left Thursday nigh...

George has bone bruise, to miss at least 2 games

George has bone bruise, to miss at least 2 games

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhiladelphia 76ers star Paul George has a bone bruise in his left k...

Baseball

Ohtani 'slowly ramping up' in post-surgery rehab

Ohtani 'slowly ramping up' in post-surgery rehab

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani is in the early stages of rehabbing fr...

City OKs, then reverses $23M to fix Rays' stadium

City OKs, then reverses $23M to fix Rays' stadium

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The St. Petersburg City Council reversed co...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated