But it's a bit Hypocritical as England has been the country that has been exploiting this the most. And they started this whole cycle of project players and getting guys who would be eligible because of the residency rule. If we take a position such as inside centre as an example. Before Faz was your first choice, England went through a bunch a of foreigners as they didn't have international quality players for that position that were born in England. Brad Barrit, Manu Tuilagi, Stuart Abbott, Riki Flutey & Ben Te'o comes to mind.
I don't want to get too technical on this matter with regards to where they were born, went to school or where they grew up or played age grade rugby, but as soon as the "stigma-seed" has been planted of a player that has been "poached" it's nearly impossible to change someone's mind about his loyalties and that he's just a mercenary for hire and that the good old traditions of pride for king and country still applies.
All I'm saying is that England is the biggest offender of this nature, and has been for the longest time of all the nations. After they dropped off the pedestal of being the best in the world after the 2003 World Cup, they went on a binge to get the guys to get them back on top and the attitude of winning by all means necessary has created this vicious cycle. Perhaps the administrators should have a change of mind and follow the idea of SARU when selecting players for national duty. Even if it's just for a short while until the residency rule increases. At least by then the heat will be a little bit less.
come on England!
