From The Rugby Paper · The Rugby Paper Team · · 1m 10s
James Haskell slams England overseas eligibility rule
James Haskell calls England's overseas eligibility rule 'utter nonsense' and demands its end.
In brief
James Haskell calls England's overseas eligibility rule 'utter nonsense' and demands its end. James Haskell says England's overseas player eligibility rule is 'utter nonsense' and must be scrapped for 2027 World Cup success. Originally reported by The Rugby Paper.
Haskell criticizes rule
James Haskell calls England's overseas player eligibility rule 'utter nonsense' and the 'stupidest rule conceived'.
“It’s utter nonsense. It’s the stupidest rule conceived.”
Willis eligibility issue
Jack Willis, former Wasps teammate, may play for Ireland after becoming Toulouse captain.
“Jack Willis, a former team-mate of Haskell at Wasps, recently brought the rule into focus again”
Rule impact on players
Players should be allowed to play where they want and still represent their country.
“Players should be allowed to play where they want and still play for their country”
Club affordability
Rugby clubs can't afford to pay all players so they need to let players go abroad.
“Rugby clubs can't afford to pay all these players, so they need to let players go abroad and have that opportunity”
World Cup contenders
England are genuine 2027 Rugby World Cup contenders with discipline as key factor.
“I think they are. I think ben earl, tom curry, finn smith and feyi waboso, when he’s fit, are all very good”
Discipline statistics
Keeping 15 players on field makes england world number two; yellow cards drop them to ninth or eleventh.
“If they lose players to yellow cards, they drop down to ninth or 11th in the world”
Borthwick coaching
Steve Borthwick's coaching staff are good but players must show discipline to win.
“I do think the coaching staff are good. I think they’re the right people for the job”
Player responsibility
Players must enact game plan and play well to secure rugby world cup success.
“It’s down to the players on the field to have that discipline, enact the game plan and play well”
The bottom line
James Haskell says England's overseas player eligibility rule is 'utter nonsense' and must be scrapped for 2027 World Cup success.
