Post by philhall on Dec 31, 2015 17:23:17 GMT
There were two articles in the Telegraph sport pages yesterday which epitomize the malaise with England rugby at the moment - and indeed for some while now where club comes before country.
The first article, part of a larger column written by Mick Cleary, Rugby Correspondent but headed - "THE SAGA THAT UNDERMINED ENGLAND'S HOPES OF WORLD CUP GLORY" - concerns Sam Burgess and the Bath head coach Mike Ford. Mike Ford is quoted as saying that"...England lost control of the signing of Sam and, with it, a direct say in where he would play..." He also said that "...If there had ever been a share between union and club, then we might not have signed Sam...".
The second article, written by Daniel Schofield concerns Manu Tuilagi and is headed "COCKERILL WARNS ENGLAND OVER TUILAGI. In this article Richard Cockerill has warned Eddie Jones that he - Richard Cockerill - will release Manu Tuilagi to England only when he - Richard Cockerill - deems the centre ready for the rigours of international rugby. He goes on to say that "...he will not rush back the centre just to benefit England. ..." "...I have no interest in getting the player fit for England...". He also says that "...Manu back on the field would be great for us, but at this point he is our player, he's not England's player...".
These articles typify the selfish, introverted view clubs have on the question of England players - and not just here in England. Some of the French also have the same blinkered view. And one could argue that have every right to, after all they pay the players wages. But the argument has a double edge to it. Whilst the majority of clubs are more than happy to take the accolades for having provided an international player, a player whose presence on the club field of play provides a valuable cutting edge and put bums on seats as the clubs strive to maximise income they are less than happy if that player is injured whilst playing for his country.
Understandably, if their prized assets get injured then the playing fortunes of the club may suffer as a direct result of his being unable to play and if that demise extended over a significant period it could even result in the ignominy of demotion. A playing getting injured whist playing for his club is one thing, that's life, live with it - but getting injured whilst playing for his country? Dear, Oh dear, Oh dear, that is unacceptable, totally unacceptable and the club must be fully compensated.
What clubs fail to grasp is the fact that they are running a business. But many rugby clubs bosses running their businesses are totally divorced from the true reality of running a business where entrepreneurial skills abound. True many businesses were founded on a large or small financial largesse of some description but on-going financial supporting for a company is, broadly speaking from within or through shareholders. In essence they need to be able to pay there way.
Premiership rugby clubs have it cushy. They receive a very large annual largesse from the England Rugby football. True. Championship clubs and many other rugby clubs also receive an annual largesse but nothing remotely like that received by the Premiership Clubs. If Championship clubs - Moseley for example - were ever to provide an England player they would be chuffed to bits. Never mind losing a player to his country now and again, let us tell the world and rejoice together.
Not the Premiership clubs. They want their cake and they want to eat it as well and there lies the problem.
In my view Eddie Jones should push the England Rugby management for central contracts for England players of all ages. Then and only then will there be some sense of order and playing success.
It is on my New Year wish list but will it come about. Only time will tell.
In the meantime; Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
The first article, part of a larger column written by Mick Cleary, Rugby Correspondent but headed - "THE SAGA THAT UNDERMINED ENGLAND'S HOPES OF WORLD CUP GLORY" - concerns Sam Burgess and the Bath head coach Mike Ford. Mike Ford is quoted as saying that"...England lost control of the signing of Sam and, with it, a direct say in where he would play..." He also said that "...If there had ever been a share between union and club, then we might not have signed Sam...".
The second article, written by Daniel Schofield concerns Manu Tuilagi and is headed "COCKERILL WARNS ENGLAND OVER TUILAGI. In this article Richard Cockerill has warned Eddie Jones that he - Richard Cockerill - will release Manu Tuilagi to England only when he - Richard Cockerill - deems the centre ready for the rigours of international rugby. He goes on to say that "...he will not rush back the centre just to benefit England. ..." "...I have no interest in getting the player fit for England...". He also says that "...Manu back on the field would be great for us, but at this point he is our player, he's not England's player...".
These articles typify the selfish, introverted view clubs have on the question of England players - and not just here in England. Some of the French also have the same blinkered view. And one could argue that have every right to, after all they pay the players wages. But the argument has a double edge to it. Whilst the majority of clubs are more than happy to take the accolades for having provided an international player, a player whose presence on the club field of play provides a valuable cutting edge and put bums on seats as the clubs strive to maximise income they are less than happy if that player is injured whilst playing for his country.
Understandably, if their prized assets get injured then the playing fortunes of the club may suffer as a direct result of his being unable to play and if that demise extended over a significant period it could even result in the ignominy of demotion. A playing getting injured whist playing for his club is one thing, that's life, live with it - but getting injured whilst playing for his country? Dear, Oh dear, Oh dear, that is unacceptable, totally unacceptable and the club must be fully compensated.
What clubs fail to grasp is the fact that they are running a business. But many rugby clubs bosses running their businesses are totally divorced from the true reality of running a business where entrepreneurial skills abound. True many businesses were founded on a large or small financial largesse of some description but on-going financial supporting for a company is, broadly speaking from within or through shareholders. In essence they need to be able to pay there way.
Premiership rugby clubs have it cushy. They receive a very large annual largesse from the England Rugby football. True. Championship clubs and many other rugby clubs also receive an annual largesse but nothing remotely like that received by the Premiership Clubs. If Championship clubs - Moseley for example - were ever to provide an England player they would be chuffed to bits. Never mind losing a player to his country now and again, let us tell the world and rejoice together.
Not the Premiership clubs. They want their cake and they want to eat it as well and there lies the problem.
In my view Eddie Jones should push the England Rugby management for central contracts for England players of all ages. Then and only then will there be some sense of order and playing success.
It is on my New Year wish list but will it come about. Only time will tell.
In the meantime; Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
