Non-EU player limits

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.rugbybanterpage.org/apps/blog/show/33924498-naughty-naughty-toulon

ERC rule 3.2 states "A club must nominate a squad of between 19 and 23 players for each match."


ERC rule 3.7 "Each club is permitted a maximum of two 'non-European players' in each match squad."

Non Kolpak international players: Matt Giteau (Australia), David Smith (New Zealand) - Toulon have already met their match day squad limit there... However, as any cheesy late night home shopping salesman will tell you, "But wait, there's more..." Ali Williams (New Zealand), Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina), Chris Masoe (New Zealand), Carl Hayman (New Zealand), Drew Mitchell (Australia).

...Interdasting.

 

[TRF_heineken]

http://www.rugbybanterpage.org/apps/blog/show/33924498-naughty-naughty-toulon

The largest non-EU source of quota-exempt players are the ACP countries (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States), due to the Kolpak ruling of the European court (2003). In the context of rugby, the most important ACP countries are South Africa, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. They are exempt because of their close political relationship with the EU. The other group of players that are exempt from this ruling is Georgia, because Georgia has a similar relationship with the EU through the European Neighbourhood Policy.

...Interdasting.

That blog could cause confusion, and I'm sure the Toulon lawyers have found a loophole somewhere. they use the term Kolpak. Which I know from the cricketing part. But my understanding is that if a person declares himself a Kolpak-player, he gives up his right to represent his country. Now in this case, I didn't know that Danie Rossouw or Bakkies Botha gave up their right to represent South Africa.

It's a very interesting post, and I'm sure that if there are going to be a response from whoever, there could be a whole can of worms being opened.

By the way, I see Toulon bought Craig Burden yesterday... so that's another Saffa off to Toulon

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

That blog could cause confusion, and I'm sure the Toulon lawyers have found a loophole somewhere. they use the term Kolpak. Which I know from the cricketing part. But my understanding is that if a person declares himself a Kolpak-player, he gives up his right to represent his country. Now in this case, I didn't know that Danie Rossouw or Bakkies Botha gave up their right to represent South Africa.

It's a very interesting post, and I'm sure that if there are going to be a response from whoever, there could be a whole can of worms being opened.

By the way, I see Toulon bought Craig Burden yesterday... so that's another Saffa off to Toulon

The Sharks have Bismarck and Kyle Cooper both of whom are better so no real hurt unless you consider that the Lions or Bulls could have used him; I am not impressed by Hadebe. But I agree with you in that the shear amount of our fringe/stock players leaving is hurting us ITO quality in depth for Super Rugby and Currie Cup.

 

[Peat]

Five of those seven players have European or Kolpak passports. That is the most obvious answer. Masoe and Williams probably have Samoan passports, I believe Williams has an English one, can't answer with certainty for the rest but you get the idea. They are very far from the only club doing it and I am 99.9pc certain they are doing nothing illegal.

 

[ratsapprentice]

3.7 seems like a bit of a redundant rule then.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

3.7 seems like a bit of a redundant rule then.

I guess it could've been a lot worse without it. At least there is some form of constraint even if not absolute.