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#Post#: 154752--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: May 28, 2026, 11:09 am
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So true Faf, so true. It is quite sad when you think a player as
good as Lomu never won a world cup and DuPont may never
either.....or Stu Townsend, of course
#Post#: 154755--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Scooter
Date: May 28, 2026, 6:53 pm
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--- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
>
> Toulouse star flanker is ineligible to play for England under
current rules, but simply scrapping them is not the answer
>
> Brian Moore
>
> Published 25 May 2026 8:30am BST
>
> This season, both Europe’s premier cup competitions have been
won convincingly by French teams: Bordeaux-Bègles over Leinster
in the Champions Cup and Montpellier over Ulster in the
Challenge Cup. That means 10 of the last 12 trophies have been
won by the French. That says a lot about the strength of their
club rugby, which feeds into their global position when it comes
to the international game.
>
> All of this has led some commenters to make the now reflexive
claim that for England to match the French at Test level, their
players should be allowed to play in the Top 14 without
restriction, because that would mean they were being exposed to
the best club rugby each week.
>
>
> I hesitate to dwell on this subject, not because it is
uninteresting but because it has become almost impossible to get
those who make such proposals to give a cogent answer or, in
some cases, any answer to the potential problems such a reversal
of Rugby Football Union policy might entail.
>
> Similarly, but more understandably, nobody appears to have a
workable strategy to annul several distinct advantages enjoyed
by French club rugby. This is less surprising, as I do not think
there are any, and the rest of the clubs playing in the
competitions have to make the best of it.
>
> I realise that this is going over familiar ground, but I want
to make yet another attempt to get the proponents of such a rule
change to be honest enough to give proper answers to the points
put, or at least admit they do not have any. Let us take the big
one first.
>
> You can push for the rule that bans English-qualified players
playing outside the Gallagher Prem to be removed. You are
entitled to that opinion. You should not, however, be taken
seriously if you refuse to address the potential effects of the
change and particularly if your post is a variation of the
following: “The Overseas Players Rule should be abandoned.
Always pick the best players available for England. End of.”
>
> Presently, we are probably only talking about one specific
player who would be automatically included from France – Jack
Willis. While an undoubted and stellar talent, Willis made his
choice and you cannot make rules for exceptions, you must make
them in the knowledge of probable effects.
>
> So, let us know how you would ensure there was no shortfall in
the broadcast rights for England’s chief domestic competition,
should several of its superstars be lured abroad. Knowing the
people involved in the broadcast rights bidding process from TNT
Sports, I can tell you that if that happened, the bids would be
reduced in the future. Not necessarily in terms of the headline
figure, but certainly a diminution in what otherwise would have
been paid.
>
> If you cannot make this guarantee, how do you propose any
shortfall is made up? If you cannot do this, you have no
solution to what would be deleterious consequence for all of
England’s domestic top flight and how good is that for the
national team? And, while we are on this point, what effect do
you think the loss of the starting players will have on crowds –
positive or negative? You could claim that their absence would
give others opportunities, but we all know the real answer to
this question and why some refuse to address it.
>
> How would you ensure that England-qualified players playing in
France actually play in the positions that are best for the
national team? Presently, the RFU has a good amount of say in
how Prem players are managed and their availability. This
extends into many areas beyond simple time on the field, it
includes injury-management, rehabilitation and other important
matters.
>
> Despite the talent of individuals such as Henry Pollock,
England had a dismal Six Nations campaign
> What legal mechanism do you propose to put to French club
owners that would allow similar influence for the English
national good, bearing in mind the extremely long French
domestic season?
>
> It would be disingenuous to demand rectification plans to
counter the following advantages, but they are factual and
influential.
>
> South-West France is one of few regions globally where rugby
is more popular than football. This affects sponsorship, crowds
and recruitment of nascent talent. How much more talent might
England attract if they had the choice of young athletic players
in, say, the North West of England?
>
> You might argue that the South West is the best English
equivalent, but that comparison fails when exposed to even a
modicum of serious scrutiny. Most French club grounds are
municipally owned, which reduces the clubs’ running costs and is
particularly relevant when it comes to issues such as the
upgrading of facilities that takes serious capital.
>
> Finally, French players, similar to their Irish equivalents,
are the beneficiaries of different treatment under their tax
system. Income averaging rules effectively and substantially
lower their final progressive income tax bracket. The Plan
d’Épargne Retraite (“PER”) gives French players advantageous
pension provisions, allowing them to withdraw money at a much
lower marginal tax rate, whether from lump sums or annuities.
>
> Good luck in persuading the Treasury to treat our players
likewise.
>
--- End Quote ---
He has the writing style of a Viz character.
#Post#: 154756--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Quinky
Date: May 28, 2026, 8:12 pm
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--- Quote from: Scooter link ---
>
>
> He has the writing style of a Viz character.
>
--- End Quote ---
Roger Mellie?
#Post#: 154759--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: May 29, 2026, 1:34 am
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--- Quote from: Scooter link ---
>
>
> He has the writing style of a Viz character.
>
--- End Quote ---
Troll di la de da...
#Post#: 154765--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: fatgat
Date: May 29, 2026, 4:23 am
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--- Quote from: Scooter link ---
>
>
> He has the writing style of a Viz character.
>
--- End Quote ---
Pot. Kettle. Black.
#Post#: 154766--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: May 29, 2026, 4:33 am
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Also saw Menoncello to Toulouse has been confirmed. He didn't
want to come here and fight it out with Northmore and Beard for
the 13 shirt. His loss 😁
#Post#: 154767--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: May 29, 2026, 4:35 am
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--- Quote from: fatgat link ---
>
> Pot. Kettle. Black.
>
--- End Quote ---
Be fair, FatGat, Viz is quite amusing so surely doesn't apply to
the Trollster
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