Good news for the PIs

[Chunky24]

Certainly good for countries and returning players, interesting to see what clubs like wasps think who have paid out on some of these players based on them being available all the time, JTA, Fifita, Fekitoa etc. could now be away on international duty. This was an issue for the Japanese clubs when Australia changed their selection policy for players abroad.

[andermt]

Certainly good for countries and returning players, interesting to see what clubs like wasps think who have paid out on some of these players based on them being available all the time, JTA, Fifita, Fekitoa etc. could now be away on international duty. This was an issue for the Japanese clubs when Australia changed their selection policy for players abroad.

I understand Wasps were very supportive of Fekitoa taking part in the 7s Olympic qualifying tournament in Monte Carlo to allow him to be eligible for the Tonga 15's team, but having others now eligible they may be less supportive.

[baldpaul101]

I can see it affecting clubs future signings as this will need to be taken into account.
Not much teams can do with players that have already signed, stopping them playing for their country of birth/family is hardly likley to make a happy player!
Plus if the games are in the agreed windows, not sure clubs could stop their players going, could they, even if the wanted to?

[Rossm]

AFAIK Wasps have always been extremely supportive of players gaining international caps.

[DGP Wasp]

AFAIK Wasps have always been extremely supportive of players gaining international caps.

Totally agree, Wasps have never stood in the way of anyone representing their country.  However, it's one thing when you have an academy youngster going on to achieve international recognition (eg Willis, Launch), or you bring in an established or emerging international (eg Robson, Crossdale) in the full knowledge that you may be without them during international windows at some point; quite another when you invest in a player believing they have no realistic prospect of playing international rugby again (eg Fekitoa, JTA, Fifita) and the lose them for a chunk of the season unexpectedly.  Recruitment will have been done with this in mind to ensure that clubs retain a strong squad through international periods, and this will certainly have been a consideration in salary discussions too.  Clubs will have to change their approach, and who knows if some might insert a contract clause in order to guard against being caught out in such a way.

As an example, Bristol signed Hughes as a current England international, expecting to be without him at times and he's not been in an England squad since, so they will have been happy with that outcome and that probably earnt him a few extra £££ on his next contract.  Now he's about to become eligible for Fiji.

[andermt]

AFAIK Wasps have always been extremely supportive of players gaining international caps.

Totally agree, Wasps have never stood in the way of anyone representing their country.  However, it's one thing when you have an academy youngster going on to achieve international recognition (eg Willis, Launch), or you bring in an established or emerging international (eg Robson, Crossdale) in the full knowledge that you may be without them during international windows at some point; quite another when you invest in a player believing they have no realistic prospect of playing international rugby again (eg Fekitoa, JTA, Fifita) and the lose them for a chunk of the season unexpectedly.  Recruitment will have been done with this in mind to ensure that clubs retain a strong squad through international periods, and this will certainly have been a consideration in salary discussions too.  Clubs will have to change their approach, and who knows if some might insert a contract clause in order to guard against being caught out in such a way.

As an example, Bristol signed Hughes as a current England international, expecting to be without him at times and he's not been in an England squad since, so they will have been happy with that outcome and that probably earnt him a few extra £££ on his next contract.  Now he's about to become eligible for Fiji.

Hughes is an interesting one. his last cap was March 2019, so hits 3 years in March.

But is he done with England? If he goes to Fiji he is, so if he still thinks he has a glimmer of hope with England, and the big payday's, then he will continue to sit on the sidelines, if he thinks he no longer has any opportunity, and with Dombrandt and Simmonds now in the squad he probably doesn't, he could very well go with Fiji, if he thinks he would get a place in their squad.

[hookender]

AFAIK Wasps have always been extremely supportive of players gaining international caps.

Totally agree, Wasps have never stood in the way of anyone representing their country.  However, it's one thing when you have an academy youngster going on to achieve international recognition (eg Willis, Launch), or you bring in an established or emerging international (eg Robson, Crossdale) in the full knowledge that you may be without them during international windows at some point; quite another when you invest in a player believing they have no realistic prospect of playing international rugby again (eg Fekitoa, JTA, Fifita) and the lose them for a chunk of the season unexpectedly.  Recruitment will have been done with this in mind to ensure that clubs retain a strong squad through international periods, and this will certainly have been a consideration in salary discussions too.  Clubs will have to change their approach, and who knows if some might insert a contract clause in order to guard against being caught out in such a way.

As an example, Bristol signed Hughes as a current England international, expecting to be without him at times and he's not been in an England squad since, so they will have been happy with that outcome and that probably earnt him a few extra £££ on his next contract.  Now he's about to become eligible for Fiji.

Hughes is an interesting one. his last cap was March 2019, so hits 3 years in March.

But is he done with England? If he goes to Fiji he is, so if he still thinks he has a glimmer of hope with England, and the big payday's, then he will continue to sit on the sidelines, if he thinks he no longer has any opportunity, and with Dombrandt and Simmonds now in the squad he probably doesn't, he could very well go with Fiji, if he thinks he would get a place in their squad.

Could see Jones picking Hughes ( and any other possibles) for Italy 6n game as a sub , bring him on for 5 mins, just to keep him as option for further 3 years

[Peej]

The clubs wont stand in thenplayers way, but theynprobably eont offer them as much money either

[Lwasp]

Interesting comments from Ugo on the BBC pod this week on this subject.

I like his thinking that he could do more for Nigerian rugby by sharing his knowledge and experience with young up and coming players rather than trying to take a playing spot. Now, it maybe he's saying that now having been retired a few years, but it didn't seem that way.

Also interesting to hear the rant about "players like Nathan Hughes" who chose to play for England for financial reasons and why they shouldn't benefit from this rule change. It was a slightly different take on the debate.

[baldpaul101]

players like Nathan Hughes" who chose to play for England for financial reasons

These are professional players who need to earn a living. He is probably sending cash back home to Fiji & helping out an entire village!
I personally don't begrudge any player from seeking to maximise their earnings.

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Dan Leo is on this week’s Brion Moore’s Full Contact podcasts, getting much earned praise. 

There’s also a good discussion on the Barbarian’s debacle.  Needless to say Moore is not impressed.