Arabic version: لوز يحث إنجلترا على إعادة النظر في قاعدة اختيار اللاعبين المحترفين خارجياً

According to BBC News, Courtney Lawes believes England should no longer restrict selection to players based at domestic clubs, arguing that the best players should be available regardless of where they play. The 37-year-old, who has won 105 England caps, has returned to the Premiership with Sale on a one-year deal after two seasons at Brive in France’s second tier.

Lawes said he understood the aim of discouraging players from moving abroad, but did not think it necessarily meant England’s players would all leave domestic rugby. He said making the best players available was important for the game’s development and for attracting more viewers. He added that England should not limit itself in selection.

Several English players are currently in France, including Toulouse flanker Jack Willis, who was voted the best player in France in 2024-25 and produced a player-of-the-match display in the Top 14 final in June. Tom Willis, Kyle Sinckler, Manu Tuilagi, David Ribbans, Billy Vunipola, Lewis Ludlam and Junior Kpoku also play in France.

England’s present approach gives the Rugby Football Union and Premiership clubs greater access and control over players. Clubs also receive central RFU payments and have a better chance of retaining leading players when an overseas move can result in international exile. New Zealand, France and Ireland also favour home-based players, while South Africa, Australia and Scotland use players based abroad.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has not included Lawes or Sale team-mate Joe Marchant in his first training camp of the season, asking both to prove themselves in the Premiership first. Lawes played the full 80 minutes as Sale beat Bath 50-28 in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Having initially retired from Test rugby after England’s 2023 World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa, he said England have the talent to improve after an up-and-down 2025-26 campaign.