posted Aug 29, 2008

I don't doubt the RFU won't finance much directly anymore. But I think SL clubs may face a few more Chris Ashton scenarios unless some more money comes into the sport.

£50-£70 K per annum isn't that much for top union clubs to offer a perceived talented young player in league

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posted Aug 29, 2008

All SL clubs have a wage cap, so paying stupid wages is not going to be possible

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posted Aug 29, 2008

Most league player have been bad investments at club and country level. Farrell cost the RFU a million didn't he....that could have been infinitely better spent on developing the best 20-25 youngsters in the country, for a far better return on investment. Glad to see the RFU have ruled out further league raids.

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posted Aug 29, 2008

There's a salary cap in union too. That's why the top French squads are a class apart.

Chile,

I know Farrell hasn't worked out for England the way both they and he would have wanted. But he's having a huge impact on and off the field at Sarries. He's had some rather unlucky injuries, but still can help shape a club midfield.

And yes there was money spent on him. But if you're a good young player there's no a shortage of funding in this country. And I doubt very much that if you're in the rung below the most talented that spending money on Farrell has cost us 20 world class players.

Of course bringing Andy into union may actually result in Farrell junior playng for England, and that could be a massive bonus.

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posted Aug 29, 2008

I think both Ashton could yet come good for England, and he has age on his side.
And although Farrell has not been setting the game alight on the pitch, no doubt his experience and professionalism has had quite an impact off it, as did Robinson.

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posted Aug 30, 2008

"All SL clubs have a wage cap, so paying stupid wages is not going to be possible"

Harris' deal to Bradford meant he was on more money than he was at Cardiff. Andrew Johns deal to Warrington meant pro-rata he was on more than any player in the GP. Every season SL clubs break the salary cap, certainly others are not detected. What Farrell was paid by RFU/Saracens was aboyut the same what he was earning plating for Wigan.

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posted Aug 30, 2008

"In SL we have had years of buying past it Aussies looking for a pay day, But we have relised that the real future is the Academys and obviously Rob Andrews has followed suit in his plans for England RU"

No it is a different issue, and SL clubs are still signing mediocre Australian players. The RFU Academy was well supported by resources, what has changed is the RFU will not subsidise the salaries for players coming over from RL clubs.

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posted Aug 30, 2008

The problem with the signing of Farrell was that he was past his best. At his peak he was supreme and would have been a fantastc acquisition - at the same time as Robinson... However, the intervening years & injuries slowed him down and prevented him from making the impact he deserved.

Also bear in mind the mince England backline he walked into - Phillippe Sella would have struggled to set them alight!!!!!!

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posted Aug 30, 2008

Your system works great for NZ & Oz. The established guys take the cheque(and the lifestyle)and we get to see the latest wannabees.
Reckon the NZ backs are average outside Carter & the wings but they still seem to do the job.
There are few top rung players but Carter, McCaw & Mattfield.Burger spring to mind that I've seen. Once upon a time Wilkinson was there.

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posted Sep 2, 2008

"There's a salary cap in union too. That's why the top French squads are a class apart."

I disagree with this comment. Lets remember that Munster are European Champions and Wasps were champions the year before. The eurocup is the club version of the world cup and its the yard stick all sides must be measured against.

Also bare in mind that France are aweful at the moment. The amount of overseas players in the club game has crippled them. The RWC last year is the perfect case in point. They were the hosts and they were smashed by Argentina twice and knocked out by a terrible English team who only had one thing going for them - pride!

I predict that france are going to be even worse this season I may put a bit of money on Wales to beat them in Paris, I'll fully expect England to win comfortably at twickenham and if the irish regain a bit of self beief then they'll probably win as well. they are at home after all.

All the power in France is with the clubs The FFR were conspicuous in the absence when the English and French clubs tried to boycott the Eurocup last year, it was left to the RFU to stand up for rugby (and I expect Damian Hopley and the english players theatened a strike) to put the clubs in their place.

While all this was going on the french players and the FFR hid away and its that sort of attitude that has left the french national team in a spiraling nose dive.

You can join the flock and bad mouth the RFU because its the cool thing to do, or you can face the facts that if they hadn't stood up to the clubs and forced through their tri-partate contract, then England would be in the same sorry state as French rugby. instead we find ourselves with solid foundations, more access to the england team than ever before and a chance for a new beginning. If you follow test match rugby, which side of the channel would you rather be?

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