R360 plans a threat to the England team

SO ONCE again the game is set to face a challenge that could further undermine the England team and the RFU's efforts to build a successful international squad of players, by offering an alternative place to play the game.

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With the new R360 league scheduled to start next season, competing in what is said to be a global competition at club level, it will challenge the Premiership for players at the highest level of the club game in the UK.

The threat that any player who signs to play in this new league could ruin their chances of playing at international level in England may have little effect, particularly on those who have already achieved international status.

In fact, if the rumors about the potential salary levels are true, this may actually give them another option, instead of signing for the French or Japanese clubs to maintain similar earnings when they are given the nod they will no longer be selected for their national squad.

It may also encourage the RFU to look outside the Premiership within our own league structure for future international players as they did in the past.

Rather than keeping the current agreement that has been in place since the game turned professional, which has had a negative impact on the whole structure of the game, by only allowing player selection from the Premiership except in exceptional circumstances. This has only been used on rare occasions, (when Saracens were relegated), and has destroyed many of the pathways for young players to the international game.